Wow! This thread was a bit of a sleeper when I first posted it, but now I must admit I've very excited to see all the responses! It's really heartening to see a bunch of people around the same state of progress as myself.
I'm also really glad to see I'm not the only newbie really jumping in with both feet. It makes me feel a little less foolish. ;)
I had that problem too, though I think I figured out how it happens. Do you leave your razor open after your shave to allow it to dry? If so, leave it open different amounts on different days. If you leave it open 180 degrees, then a good deal of the area around the pivot pin is burried beneath the scales and can't get air at it, but no matter how you open the blade, there is always some covered areas.
Anyhow, adjusting how much I keep it open to dry seems to have helped me. :)
Oh, and tonight I'm pretty darn excited. I actually managed to get the Harrison Bros and Howson that I picked up at a local flea market shaving sharp! I haven't used it yet, but I've got it passing the HHT, though it took me ages. Both due to the blade being rather dull, and because of the smile on the blade. Figuring out exactly how to rock the blade to keep contact through the stroke was a little tough at first... and I think I slowed myself down pretty good by rolling the edge at one point... But hey, it's called learning for a reason, right? ;)