Stuck in the midwest...

That does put a damper on things...and here l was hoping to meet you if all the QL folk got together. How'd you end up on the Stranger? Were you living here before?

Since you gave me a mushroom (for which l am grateful), and since you really are stuck way out there and couldn't experience this for yourself, l'll tell you about the night l went.

The artwork was truly mind-boggling, or at the very least, mentally stimulating. A photographer l've worked with had some stuff up, and one of the loveliest pieces l've seen in a while; l will check with him and see if he minds if l share one of those pieces with you.

A good deal of the work didn't seem to be erotic (or erotically related) in any way, but that's part of why l found it intriguing, because after looking at some of it for a while, you could begin to understand why it made it into the show. When you also consider SEAF is pretty particular with their admissions, it's nice to know they're not just going for the blatantly erotic stuff. (Also, you can always add SEAF to your Facebook/MySpace/whatever, and will probably find some great photos there)

The performances were phenomenal. Verotica (http://www.verotica143.com/) performed, and l really like what they do. They seem to often do the same routines, but they're a pretty solid few routines, which is okay by me. l really love their stuff, and l don't typically dig mimes any more than your average Jill.

There were a few super burlesque pieces as well. l was having trouble with my knee that night, so l missed a few performances that l might have been able to see better standing up.

The crowd was oh-so-sexy. There was one chick that really stood out for me. She was down on her knees, and would pull the statue pose, and just stay for however long. So you'd move on after watching her in the same immobile position for a while, come back, and she'd be another foot down. ln the four or so hours we were there, she probably moved no more than four feet, if that. For someone whose knees aren't in the best shape, maybe it stood out because l admired her stamina. Anyway, l loved her.

There was an artist there that works largely with fruit, as in, he slices it up, and then glues it in extraordinary arrangements on a model's body...sort of like live sushi, but better. lf you PM me, l can send you a few photos of that, and possibly his main page. The only complaint l had about this year is that it seemed far more conservative than years past, but maybe that's because it was held at a typically conservative venue.

lf l think of more, l'll pass it on. Maybe you should plan for a trip next year. l'll buy you a drink, if l'm not still a pauper.