Well, last night wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  I slept pretty well, and didn't wake up once because my ear hurt. 

This morning it was a bit swollen, but some ibuprofen helped that out.  I soaked it in a sea salt solution, then cleaned it with a q-tip and some anti-bacterial soap.  Washing my hair in the shower was an experience; it got caught up around the bar and I had to use Dave's shaving mirror to untangle it properly.

It's throbbing slightly now; I think that's because I just came in from outside and my ear got cold, and also because the ibuprofen is wearing off. 

Here's what it looks like today:

As you can see, there's a little bruising at the front, but that's normal.  I don't think you can have a big metal spike shoved through the flesh of your ear without having SOME bruising as a result.

Like I said, it's not too painful today - actually, the whole thing has been a lot less painful than I had anticipated.  The piercing wasn't bad, last night wasn't bad, and today isn't bad either. 

I'm liking it more and more every time I see it.