So I finally got the 0g taper in, but the plug is apparently just slightly bigger than the end of the taper, because I can't seem to follow the taper through with the plug. I've tried several times. But now my ear is raw, bloody, swollen, and in an excrutiating amount of pain. So I'm giving up for the weekend. I know I can get the taper all the way through now, so next time I try, I'll be more patient and perhaps have more luck. If I left the taper in my ear until tomorrow I could probably get the plug through without much trouble, but then I'd have two mismatched earrings, which doesn't really bother me too much, but I wouldn't have a chance to replace the other one until the first weekend in October. And since I'm sure I'm going to be involved in pictures at Laura's wedding, I've decided to stay balanced for now and try again later. I guess after Emily's fall break is the first time I have 2 consecutive free weekends again. Oh well.