[web2py] Uploads saving to DB, but not to file system

[rdodev]

I already searched thought this groups for uploads and found a bunch 
similar questions, but not exactly my case -- I apologize if this has been 
answered before.

I have a minimal RESTful web service defined as follows:

db.define_table('UPLOAD',
    Field('custom_name' ,type='string',  length=40, required=True),
    Field('file_name',  type='upload', required=True),
)

@request.restful()
def index():
def GET(upload_id=None):
if not upload_id:
form = SQLFORM(db. UPLOAD )
response.view = 'default/index.html'
return dict(form=form)
                else: 
                       ...
 def POST(*args,**vars):
return db.UPLOAD.validate_and_insert(**vars)

return locals()

when it posts, it does insert the file and and custom name, but it does not 
actually save the file to disk (or anywhere for that matter). Am I missing 
a step somewhere? Thanks.