There were the torrential downpours on 70 West, blinding rain the likes of which I hadn't experienced in a long time.

There were the elevator rides at the hotel, chock full of drunken redneck lesbians, some toting 30-packs of Busch Light.

And then there was the beautifully ornate, even whimsical theater that provided a perfectly fitting setting.

There was the crowd. There's no such thing as a casual Tom Waits fan—you either like him or you don't. You either “get” him, or you don't. So there weren't any rude conversations in the background, no overly drunk or stoned assholes, no tag-along jackasses who only went because someone had a spare ticket. It was one big room full of excited and captivated fans.

And when the lights went down, there was little choice but to be captivated.

Then there was the band. The band was awesome. They could put out a huge sound when needed just as well as a gentle waltz.

But everyone came to see Tom Waits. Stomping his feet, waving his arms, strutting with bullhorn under his arm like a baton…the visual was almost as good as the music itself. There's nothing I can write to describe the experience properly. I'm just glad I got to experience it.

Heh.

(Aside: Not sure why "pittgirl identity" would lead here. I don't write about Ken Rice frequently.)

“Facts of Life” Nude by C. Zimmerman

Acrylics on  16" x 20" on Masonite board

From the listing:

(T)his is an original hand-painted piece by L.A. area artist and "Golden Gals Gone Wild" exhibitor, C. Zimmerman - not a reproduction. This artist's work has been featured in Bizarre Magazine and The Globe.

Mrs. Garrett teaches the girls a thing or two about growing up. Features Mrs, Garrett (Charlotte Rae), Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Jo (Nancy McKeon), Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and Tootie (Kim Fields) topless. Blair's cousin, Geri (Geri Jewell) is wearing her famous "I don't have cerebral palsey. I'm drunk" T-shirt. Comes with black frame with gold trim (as shown in listing). A fun, sexy piece for collectors of erotic art and Facts of Life memorabilia - don't miss this opportunity!

Click here to see uncensored version and to bid. WARNING: NSFW and may cause severe mental and emotional scarring. Seriously, there should be a mandatory span of thirty days between any thoughts of Charlotte Rae and nipples. The same holds true for Mindy “Natalie” Cohn. At least the artist had the decency of keeping the shirt on the one with cerebral palsy, 'cause you know, that would be in bad taste.

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have…a really disturbing painting that can be yours for as low as $95. Hurry because bidding ends on June 26th!

As the vast T&A readership can probably tell by the infrequency of my posts, the blogging tank has been empty lately. I really don't know why that is. I was thinking that I need something to motivate me and what better way to get motivated than to create some motivational posters?!