Moto

I find it very difficult to move objects around, especially line vectors. It makes the program a frustrating experience to create vectors of any complexity.

Would like to see text wrapping around photos as well.

I used "Select sampled color" and then a levels adjustment to mop up a very faint halo that was left.
 

 
Re: Selection Brush Tool.... that worked too. I'm sure that you have "snap to edges" checked, but just know that brush size as well as motion/speed when selecting, count in the result. This method was a little more labor intensive, that's why I preferred the above.

I always insert a new point to the line segment I want to delete first - then select the new point - break curve - marquee select the two points - hit backspace to delete. No switching tools necessary.
 
Cheers
P.