Arby's and I believe McDonald's have what I like to call "High Flow" straws. While you are out looking for all of the different types and sizes of straws, don't forget to score some of the specialized condiments and such. For instance, Cabela's has little packets of Frank's Red Hot which are always nice to have to kick up any meal. Another place (can't remember off the top of my head) has mayo w/ olive oil packets which again are great to mix in with some tuna or whatever. Another is a chain of convenience stores around here called Quik Trip carry lemon juice in small packets which is great if you should be doing any fishing for food, salsa packets again to spice a bland meal up, and Grey Poupon packets which again can add a different spin to a meal in a small package.
I have been playing with the straw tricks for a while and find some are better than others. For instance, I too find the fire starter cotton ball in the straw to be more of a pain than it is worth. I went back to just carrying them in an old film container. It is easier to get to them and you can pull off smaller portions if you want and just close it back up. I do use the spice trick though as that works great. As far as pills and ointments, for pills it is great because you can package them based on dosage recommendations but for ointments I again find it to be too much of a mess.
Plus they go real well with ramen..
