Your words are true, but not necessarily in my case. I think I've got the culture as I have the natural talent (and ability to draw), studied under and worked with some very talented designers over the years. I've pulled off some successful designs as well.

The issue is that my passion to code is greater than my passion to design. Even if I do start at the sketch step, I all but salivate at the chance to get cracking on the CSS.

I don't suck because I can't sketch, I suck because I don't sketch. :P Whenever I do sketch my designs come out better.