Many times in the past I have been asked what Ardy’s purpose in life is. You know…deep questions like What. Is. With. The. Duck? 
What is with duck? Easy. It’s all about the VIP parking privileges.
Basically, the whole Ardy concept began because of a short film I wanted him to star in called “Life Outside The Tub” but since my video camera was stolen by gypsies on a train in Italy, I had to resort to still shots.
Even the occasional glamour shot. 
Although I have enjoyed taking pictures of Ardy at landmarks and pit stops anywhere I travel…(here he is taking a dip in the Trevi Fountain in Rome)…
…it’s been even more enjoyable capturing moments with people holding Ardy. It’s weird how a rubber duck can simply bring out a childlike aura in people. For example, when I was in Italy in 2004, I came across a grumpy train station employee who worked at the luggage storage. I had some time to kill before my train left for Vienna and wanted to walk around Florence one more time but I didn’t want to lug around my backpack. I saw the storage place at the station and decided to store the backpack while I ambled around the city for the day.
To pass the time standing in line to check my bag, I began to analyze the disgruntled individual checking all the bags. He seemed to be having a miserable day as he stacked bags and cursed under his breath in Italian. As I got closer to the front of the line I decided to throw him for a loop and hand him Ardy instead of my bag.
It was a risk but I felt it was well worth it.
When my turn came to check my bag, he motioned me forward and I handed him Ardy leaving my bag on the ground. With Ardy in his hand, I watched his face turn from angry to confused to happy within four seconds. Suddenly he was talking to the duck as if nobody else was watching. He was smiling and trying to tell me something in Italian. Of course I didn’t understand what he was saying so an Italian woman standing behind me translated his words. She told me he was saying that the duck reminded him of bath time as a kid and how his father always gave him ducks for his birthday.
I was obsessed.
As the man continued gazing at Ardy, I took out my video camera and filmed the moment. For that man, it was as if nothing else mattered for 30 seconds. He was all about the duck. Unfortunately, that footage was in the camera when the gypsies stole it nine hours later.
But that’s life and at least they didn’t steal Ardy, right?
I just hope that somewhere out there an Italian scam artist is enjoying the footage as much as I enjoyed filming it.
So in light of Ardy’s birthday, I decided to post some shots of him with some Intense Individuals he has encountered over the past couple years. If you want more info on Ardy’s birth you can go read a previous post HERE.
The shots:
With a Czech Children’s Choir in Prague.
Spencer Little.
Marino and Ardy examining a car in Paris.
The kid who beat me in a peanut eating contest on an airplane.
Random People at a hat shop.
An older gentleman in Seville, Spain who wanted to hold Ardy.
Saskia and Wataru in Holland with Ardy.
Hew and Ardy focusing on the details.
Monsoud, an Israeli doctor, getting chauffeured around Rome with Ardy.
Anne Williamson, Brandelyn Nelson, and Brock Hillman
with Ardy in Los Angeles. 
Deirdre Wall and Hew Harris with Ardy right before 80′s Prom.
Random happy dude.
Guac-Off against the Police and Fire Departments in San Diego.
Sarah Cusik…she loves White Castle.
JJ Kalsheur and Laura Whittier with Ardy, one of Hans Biwi Lechner’s stones, and the White Castle Mug.
A fun and crazy bunch of Individuals in San Francisco.
Jill Comrie and Emily Weisner.
A group of individuals in Prague.
Geoff Marecek and Alison Chu with Ardy….Where’s Waldo style.
Anne Mielke and Laura MacDonald with Ardy in Lafayette, Indiana.
The Burgesses.
Random dude holding Ardy up in the air at Northwestern.
And then another random dude holding Ardy at the rock. 
Harold Greenbaum’s dog slobbering Ardy.
A curious child.
Identical twins.
Too hard to explain.
Uncle Doug and Aunt Carol in St. Catherines, Ontario. Aunt Carol used to teach break dancing.
Random man on a business trip in San Diego. He wanted a picture with Ardy to put up in his cubicle in New York. Right on.
Feeding time.
Daniel, thinking about mangos in Park City.
Soon to be the next Captain Morgan and poet, Jon Rolston.
Not gonna lie, this baby cried and cried when I took Ardy out of his hands. Tough moment.
Biker Dude in Milwaukee.
This guy trained California’s governor Ahhh-nold in karate. 
Hans Biwi Lechner from Austria
, conversing with Ardy in Los Angeles.
A tough fight. 
Stephanie Clark modeling with Ardy.
Tourists love Ardy. 
Yes, that is Darryl from Adventures in Babysitting holding Ardy.
One day I will own a vacation home in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic with these Individuals. You think I am kidding but I am not.
This is Cent, he is so money and he doesn’t even know it.
3K planting one on Ardy.
John Johansen and Ardy off for a little ride around Berkeley.
Well, that’s all for now! Now go high five everyone you see.
