I am looking for a few pointers, I got pointed to this site.
My primary interest is network programming. I have done quite a bit of reading and experimenting and am familiar with mechanisms of most protocols. Now I want to start writing code. I read introductory stuff on python and grasped it well too. I had just started playing with the python modules, when I met somebody(with a tall reputation) at the local lug meeting who told me that I could always learn python very easily later but C was the language I must know, specially given my interest on network programming. I did some research and thought maybe the guy is right. So I've been with a k&r for 4 weeks now. It didn't intimidate me but I am progressing very very slowly and maybe that's why also slacking a bit. I am posting this because I'm at the stage where it's even worrying me now. I'm always thinking that in python i could be building stuff right now. I know python won't teach me low level things like memory management etc, but my progress is pain-stakingly slow in C.
Question: Should I continue battling with C like i'm now and write some working code in it or switch to python where i'll be at a bit more ease? Will a high level language spoil me too much to come back to C later?
I would recommend starting with Python, unless you absolutely need the speed.  It's often said that programming languages are just tools in your toolbox, and certain ones are going to be able to accomplish a given task better than others.  If you don't need the speed, Python is going to accomplish the task you're looking to accomplish with less code and will be easier to learn.
I am entirely self-taught and went from Apple II BASIC to assembly language to scripting languages (Perl, PHP, Ruby) and now am using mostly C.  C is a relatively small language, but I believe that had I started out with C, I probably would've lost my motivation.  Start out with Python - you'll learn the gist of programming, then if you have the need or the want to learn C later, it will be easier to pick up.
Network programming: Python vs. C for a complete beginner