There's Your Answer, FishBulb Mystery Cache

Who is Mr. Sparkle?

Mr. Sparkle was the subject of one episode of The Simpsons (In Marge We Trust, season 8, episode 22). While Homer and the kids were at the Springfield dump, they found a box of Japanese dishwashing detergent with a picture that looked a lot like Homer. So they contacted the company that made the detergent, and several weeks later they received a videotape of a Mr. Sparkle commercial. However, like many aspects of Japanese pop culture, the commercial did not make any sense to a western audience. To see the video for yourself, visit youtube.com and search for "Mr. Sparkle".

At the end of the video, we learn that Mr. Sparkle is a joint venture between Matsumura Fishworks and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manfacturing Concern. The two logos, a fish and a lightbulb, merge to form the Mr. Sparkle logo.

Matsumura Fishworks and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern

The "Mr. Sparkle" joint venture

But what does this have to do with geocaching?

Many Triangle area geocachers have noticed the name "Mr.Sparkle" in the logs of local geocaches. These log entries appeared suddenly, and then ceased just as suddenly, and some wondered why. Legend has it that Mr.Sparkle was attacked by a Swamp Thang while trying to score a FTF at Holy Wastewater II. But no one knows for sure.

A more plausible story is that Mr.Sparkle was trying to escape the incessant attention of the paparazzi and his fans. He has gone underground, using a new pseudonym. He speaks in riddles. He encrypts all of his personal communications (using ROT13, of course). And he has assumed a completely new look: far from cool, somewhat nerdy, and unlikely to attract undue attention.

But this story is only believed by conspiracy theorists.

Either way, Mr.Sparkle, or whatever he is calling himself these days, has a lot easier time trading signature swag items without the lawyers from FOX and The Simpsons hounding him. Keep your eyes open, and I bet you'll see Mr.Sparkle on the trail.

"I accept the challenge of Mr. Sparkle."

What a brave corporate logo! To accept the Mr. Sparkle challenge, you must first find the other three caches in the "Mr.Sparkle" series. They are all strategically located where Mr.Sparkle might be seen: Japanese businesses, places of cleanliness, and in areas of awesome power.

To find this cache, take the clues from the three caches below and add them together to form the final coordinates.

In both cases, add the numbers and then only use the last three digits of the answer. For example, 123 + 456 + 789 = 1368, so throw away the "1" and just use "368".

Good luck!

NOTES: (1) This cache replaces GC140W8, which had to be archived when its hiding place was demolished in the name of progress. (2) Do not park near the published coordinates.