Yeah, I use either MX or 8 about 80-90% of the time. Xara Xtreme 5 or Designer Pro 7 for advanced layout work. I have the Xara 3D tool too for 3D animations...The 3D in the other Xara tools is good enough for static stuff though, so not used as much anymore.
Home - Mehdi - Plugins Photoshop has some nice free plugins that work with either. I love Noise Shampoo. EyeCandy and Redfield have some nice paid plugins too for making cool effects.
I can't draw worth a darn either, but I know design and making use of tools available. Doesn't hurt to have Electronics, Development, Photography, and Print Graphics background either. I even do Wedding/Event Videos on the side (Sony Vegas and Cyberlink PowerDirector are my favs there).