One present, nah, maybe more...

I signed up for a formal painting class at Tyler.  The class starts in February and only runs for 5 weeks - one day a week for 3 hours each session.  Even though I feel mostly confident about my painting skills (OK, mostly meh, but I get by with what I know!), I really want to learn how to do things "right" - underpainting, grounds, mediums - all the traditional techniques for using oils that I do not know and do not use in my work.  As I read over the materials list, I saw a simple, obvious phrase - "stretched canvas" - which set me into a tizzy.  The horror!
I realize this may sound a bit ridiculous and even somewhat dramatic, but... I HATE STRETCHED CANVAS.  It bounces. It stays wet too long. It allows the paint to move too much.  It is just not what I like to paint on!  I like solidity, stability; I LIKE WOOD.  
Today's "mess" is my first attempt at painting on canvas in about 5 years.  I thought it might be a good idea to practice a bit on this dreadful painting surface before the first class so I won't look like some dope who has never painted before when I go to class.  It is almost like the canvas KNEW I didn't like it, and as such, kept making my life miserable.  From the first line I drew, something was off.  And, let's be honest - when the composition is off, the whole thing is doomed before it begins.  Below is the journey this painting has gone through today.  At this moment, the painting has a fourth present sketched in the upper right corner which may or may not be added.
I kept trying to make the image better but at this point, I feel like this was an experiment and won't ever be a finished painting.  I'm ok with that for now, but don't be surprised if tomorrow I post another set of images as I continue to poke at this mess.