On IndexAround:
I think you hold the pen at too much of an angle before doing the trick, it should be almost horizontal.
It also seems you are trying to push the pen as fast as you can in order for it to get round. The IndexAround is a very relaxed trick, the pen does not need to be pushed hard.
I made a
video. The first two IndexArounds are (a maybe slighly exaggerated of) what you're doing now. Holding the pen at a great angle and forcing it around. The latter two, are how the IndexAround should be done. The pen starting at a lesser angle. A controlled motion from the push, thus the pen does not travel fast, and this gives you a lot of time to position your middle finger for the catch (and then you can also catch it in the same place each time too). Since the pen aint going fast, you got lots of time to 'land' the trick, and you tend not to drop :)
You can DL the video from Rapidshare too if you like:
http://rapidshare.com/files/47172905/IA.wmv.html