13 November 2012

Trees on work sites

| johnboy
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the astin

M0les has sent this in:

The Astor (Formerly The Rex Hotel) is getting into the seasonal spirit (Even has some tinsel on it – not that you can see it in this photo).

Any readers want to walk us through the history of this ritual?

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qbninthecity said :

“The Astor (Formerly The Rex Hotel)”….dude the Rex is still there…right next door to The Astor in fact!

As was formerly pointed out by the wondrous comment known as 4.

qbninthecity8:58 am 14 Nov 12

“The Astor (Formerly The Rex Hotel)”….dude the Rex is still there…right next door to The Astor in fact!

Whitepointer5:47 am 14 Nov 12

The pine tree on top of a building signifys the last slab or top deck has been poured.

wildturkeycanoe7:22 pm 13 Nov 12

Blew up there in the last strong breeze from the Arboretum.

Chop71 said :

I miss the Cannons Bar.

Downstairs at the Rex was still Canberra’s best ever alternative music venue.

johnboy said :

And distressing to see the illuminati takeover gaining pace in this photo.

Once this was a land fit for reptoids.

Until Birnam Wood comes to The Eagles Nest, you’ll be fine.

Oh wait a second…

I miss the Cannons Bar.

johnboy said :

And distressing to see the illuminati takeover gaining pace in this photo.

Once this was a land fit for reptoids.

Ah yes but when the illuminati shed their skin the reptoid emerges with a huge grin.

Someone is definitely off their tree.

And distressing to see the illuminati takeover gaining pace in this photo.

Once this was a land fit for reptoids.

To start the day with a glorious double correction, the new building is called The Astin, and the Rex is still there, mural and all, tucked in next to it.

The tree is nice, in a rather distressed way.

JonahBologna9:00 am 13 Nov 12

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In building construction, topping out (sometimes incorrectly referred to as topping off) is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building’s structure, or an intermediate point, such as when the roof is dried in.[1] A topping out ceremony is usually held to commemorate the event.

While common in the United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, the origins of the ceremony are obscure. Its practice has long been an important component of timber frame building.[2] This tradition migrated to America with European craftspeople. A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost beam, often with flags and streamers tied to it. A toast is usually drunk and sometimes the workers are treated to a meal. The ceremony has also been common in the United States when a skyscraper is completed. The last beam to be hoisted is painted white and signed by all the workers involved. In other types of building, the ceremony typically focuses on the bedding of the last block of masonry or brick. The ceremony is akin to the practice of placing a newspaper or coins under the cornerstone of a building.

Possibly left over from their topping out ceremony, or maybe Christmas is coming up?

I understand it is a Scandanavian tradition…a ceremony were the builder celebrates the construction of the highest point of the building with the placing of a tree on the top of the structure to symbolise growth and good luck.

I think

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