The United States $2 bill.

I bought a couple of these today in the city.

But I should point out that the rarest of all US banknotes is not necessarily a collector’s item.

This is a strange situation with this particular denomination, one that we don’t experience with any of our notes in Australia.

For whatever reason, the US $2 bill is not used in general circulation even though it is legal tender.

There’s an interesting article about this topic that explains things a lot clearer, and I have attached the link here – United States two-dollar bill – Wikipedia

Where are the trams?

The Parramatta Light Rail Project commenced work in early 2021.

The tracks were completed over two years ago and the stations have been built, yet there is not a single tram in sight.

The above photo was taken in April 2021 showing the tracks being laid.

Jump to October 2021 and you can see in this photo that the tracks are indeed complete, although the surrounding road work is yet to be done.

This photo was taken in August 2023, almost two years later. The tram lines and new road lanes were completed some months ago, yet things are moving at a snail’s pace.

Note that the station in the photo named Benaud Oval is fenced off.

And now here we are today, in late January 2024, and the same station remains cordoned off.

In fact, all stations remain surrounded by work fences as a desolate train line runs through them and along most of Church Street. This after the tracks were completed two years ago.

Is this another government stuff up? Did they forget to order the trams?

The below photos were taken today (22nd January, 2024) between Parramatta City Centre and the Benaud Oval station at North Parramatta.

Study the images and judge for yourself.

Baylan Skoll collectible action figure.

Despite being concerned over the wokeness of future Star Wars projects, one bright moment in 2023 was the introduction of Baylan Skoll in the ‘Ahsoka’ series.

The last time I bought a Star Wars action figure was back in 1999, so for me to go out and buy this now is an indication of how much I enjoyed this character. The figurine is a good likeness as well and there is a lot of attention to detail in the attire.

So I guess I’m still a Star Wars fan…for now.

But I am worried about Star Wars moving forward, especially with the hiring of an activist to direct the next film. I have a pretty good idea where this is going to end up, hence why I cancelled Disney Plus.

So, regarding Star Wars, my advice would be to stick with anything created by Dave Filoni or Jon Favreau. Avoid everything else like the plague.

Too woke…and you ruined Star Wars!

Just over a year ago I cancelled Paramount Plus and switched over to Disney, mainly because of the many upcoming new Star Wars series scheduled for 2023.

Too woke, too much gender-bias, and gratuitous diversity/inclusive casting; to the point where ridiculous plot holes and inconsistencies became all too common in their storytelling – and all because they had to keep inserting this garbage into their shows.

Now I don’t care what they have planned for Star Wars in 2024, so it’s back to Paramount Plus!

Mr Beast chocolate bars

Five exciting flavours to choose from!

These bars are a little on the expensive side at AU$4 for only 60 grams.

It’s more of a gimmick than anything else, but I did try the ‘Original Chocolate’ and it was pretty good.

Great packaging. A good variety of flavours. But priced too high.

The 15-Year-Old Mars Bar

These treats were purchased in Tasmania circa 2009.

For fifteen years they have sat in mint condition at the back of my freezer, as they are somewhat of a collector’s item.

Apparently a rebranding of the ‘Mars’ name is quite rare, and it was done so on this occasion to promote the entry of a Tasmanian team into the AFL.

In an attempt to be selected ahead of Greater Western Sydney as the 18th team in 2010, those behind the Tasmanian bid sought out a number of sponsors to prove their financial viability. ‘Mars’ had agreed to be their major backer, and shortly after launched this rather unique campaign.

Although Tasmania did not gain entry to the AFL back then, it has since been confirmed that a team from The Apple Isle will join the competition as the 19th club in 2028.

The 1988 Commemorative $10 note.

Released only in 1988, and with virtually none remaining in circulation, the only way to acquire one of these collector’s items today is through a dealer.

There are a number of coin and note dealers on eBay that are selling this item in mint condition and in its Reserve Bank packaging from 35 years ago.

The one that I purchased, that you see in the photos, cost $40 plus postage.

Psycho Tree Killers from ‘Rollerball’.

‘Rollerball’ (1975) is without doubt a science fiction classic.

But there is one scene in this film that I always found totally insane, when at around the halfway mark, a group of society elites decide to burn half a dozen trees.

There was no CGI back when this film was made, so chances are these are real trees being destroyed, although the producers claim this is not the case. Personally, I don’t believe them.

However, what makes the scene truly disturbing are the nutcases causing the destruction, as highlighted in the screen captures below.

But to truly appreciate this cinematic masterpiece, one needs to watch the mayhem for themselves.

Below is a link to the video on YouTube.

All screenshots and video courtesy of United Artists.