Use your pencil tool to make your crazy straw. give it a large stroke weight (perhaps a 10pt or even 20pt) then add Round Stroke Cap, color of choice and add Opacity to Transparency option (perhaps something like 63%). Epand, if you want, but it's not necessary, depending on what you want. Doesn't that do what you want?
Bob
Use the blend tool with a high number of steps.
Edit the path to look crazy.
Success! Thanks a million!!! If we come up with anymore sticking points we'll be sure to post message under topic extrude a path. THANKS AGAIN!!
Rana & Chris
Rana & Chris
Expand and your strokes can be given a gradient.
Bob
Thanks I'll give it a try!
Rana
Bob