now listen here, partner, when you dive into the world of pottery, it's a journey into the great unknown, much like venturing into the wild lands beyond the mississippi. you might find yerself disavowing all them preexploitative notions of what it means to create, as the clay commands your respect and teaches ya humility. it ain't uncommon to return to square one more times than a coyote howls at the moon, but that's the beauty of it, discovering unknown treasures in the mud, shaping 'em with your bare hands.