What Caught My Eye Today

Fictional Characters - As one who prides himself on having a wealth of useless information, I have to confess I didn't know the who any of these folks were. Turns out they are all rather familiar characters. See if you can figure out how these folks are. I'll post the answers at the end of this post.

• Barbara Millicent Roberts
• Patricia Reichardt
• Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs
• Milburn Pennybags
• Nostradamus Shannon
• Bibendum
• Jonas Grumby
• Norville Rogers
• John Reid

Oil Spill - It's Day 51 of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that began with the April 20 explosion and fire on the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, and on this day, we have a shocking revelation.According to analysis conducted by the Associated Press, BP PLC's 582-page regional spill plan for the Gulf, and its 52-page, site-specific plan for the Deepwater Horizon rig are riddled with omissions and glaring errors. Gee whiz, really? Here's another newsflash...the government approved the plan. But, seriously, how bad could those errors really be? Among the glaring errors in the report: A professor is listed in BP's 2009 response plan for a Gulf of Mexico oil spill as a national wildlife expert. He died in 2005. The plan lists cold-water marine mammals including walruses, sea otters, sea lions and seals as "sensitive biological resources." None of those animals live anywhere near the Gulf.Also, names and phone numbers of several Texas A&M University marine life specialists are wrong. So are the numbers for marine mammal stranding network offices in Louisiana and Florida, which are disconnected. Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.

Fast Food - It would appear that ordering off menu items isn't just limited to special patrons. You just need to know how to say what you want.

• In-N-Out Burger’s "secret menu" isn’t so secret these days (click here), but one item that doesn't appear on that menu the Flying Dutchman, which is two slices of cheese sandwiched between two patties, hold the bun.
  Oh sweet Jesus. Come to poppa.
• Starbucks offers the Short size; it's like a little baby cup of coffee.
  Seriously, what's wrong with small, medium or large?
• Wendy's offers the Grand Slam, which is four patties stacked on a bun. It’s also known as the Meat Cube.
  There's a lovely mental image.
Taco Bell has a not-advertised green chili sauce at most locations, and apparently it's excellent
Not advertised but excellent. Call me crazy, but I'm a bit skeptical as too just how good this green chili sauce really is.
• At Fatburger, you can order a Hypocrite; a veggie burger topped with crispy strips of bacon.
  Here's what I want to know. What is a place named FatBurger thinking by offering a veggie burger on its menu? Like that's what their customers are really looking for in a burger.

Fictional Characters - So how well did you do?

• Barbara Millicent Roberts - Barbie (as in Barbie doll)
• Patricia Reichardt - Peppermint Patty from Peanuts
• Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs - The Wizard of Oz
• Milburn Pennybags - Rich Uncle Pennybags (from the board game Monopoly)
• Nostradamus Shannon - Bull (from the sitcom "Night Court)
• Bibendum - The Michelin Man
• Jonas Grumby - Skipper (from the sitcom "Gilligan's Island")
• Norville Rogers - Shaggy (from the cartoon "Scooby Doo"
• John Reid - The Lone Ranger