I have noticed that I keep failing kanji with the "span" particle. Would it be a mistake to go back and change span to something else? I have had good success with changing particles to people (for example 言 -> Socrates, taskmaster -> gay Hitler, 止 -> to the proffessional wrestler "Undertaker"). But I have usually made changes right from the get go. But I am hesitant a change for a Kanji I first learned so long ago...(I am at about 600 kanji now).
Also, what have you used to help you remember that "span" is part of the Kanji?

If a primative isn't working changing doesn't seem such a bad idea. For span there are some good stories there, e.g.

- The sun spans the heaven and the earth.

- Span sandwhich. (perhaps visualize the sun as a massive can of Spam)

I know it's got nothing to do with the Sun/Day primitive but I always visualized it as a big hole with the two "ones" the cliff on either side of it.

Whenever I have changed a Primative meaning, I have found it works quite well. What has happened with me, is that for somer eason, by attaching a new primative meaning, it actually reinforces the original primative meaning, and I soon find that I can now use both. I thought I would get confused, but it hasn't happened.

Thanks a lot guys. I'm gonna go with the span sandwich.
Istvan--what you said makes me feel better about changing. And thanks for your stories-they've been great--especially Mark Foley and his page.