Thanks Blanca. My reasoning when I put those 'negatives' was simply to focus on what I want to do better next time, but you're right I could re-frame that in a more positive light.

I have thought about using opinion openers and canned stuff just while I'm starting out and it didn't sit that well with me. I'm going out tonight so I will see how it pans out. I have a couple of opinion openers ready that I could use if I felt I needed them.