That's the bad thing about getting better pretty quickly. There are inevitably a few turds that stick to your shoe. I do like the tune I wrote, but I did it with NoteWorthy composer, and yes, many of the instruments were GM. The truth is, this is the first piece I wrote for multiple instruments that didn't utterly disappoint me on the inaugural listening-through. I think you're right in all three points, though hacking your ears off is going a little too far. It's much less detrimental to your health to throw your computer into a woodchipper.