good point, motoraced. what he's saying is that its not as aesthetically pleasing to see 4 lines comming together at a point, especially at right angles (not as "random"). just like you try to break up long seams, so they don't draw the eye too much. doesn't really have anything to do with the stability of the finished product. i think all of my four corners got into that one pic. pretty sure the rest of the project didnt have any more. i thought that the corners between the two large slabs were offset enough that they didn't really stand out too much. just my opinion. as you said, if i was more anal . . . the other corner wasnt really a corner until i hit one of the stones too hard with a mallet, making a new seam, and then didnt make the effort to find or chisel another stone to fit that exact spot. (i think thats when i started getting grumpy and decided to try the "floating in" method) sometimes i think you just have to stand back and ask if it works in the end, rules be dammed. for me and the client, it did, but i respect any opinion to the contrary, especially if it has to do with being a stickler for details.
anyhew, i never claimed to be an expert at this - the whole reason for this forum i think, and will keep my corners more in mind in the future.
ps. maybe its getting too off topic, but are there more "rules" i should know about??
we could make a list! . . .