Support
Short of adding your own manualy, you'll never get the "perfect" support.  However, you should try (if you haven't already), the latest Slic3r (1.0.0.RC3).  It's support generation is much better than pre 1.0 versions. 

To get it it to separate from the model easier, increase the number of interface layers. I use 3 layers for the interface.  Any less than that and you risk the chance of the support sticking to the model too much and leaving ugly marks, and more and the gap becomes too much and you get sagging.

Bridging
The trick is to sting it across as fast as you can and for the filament to cool off before it sags.  So the trick is to use a fan and find just the right speed.  I struggle with it too, but in general I can bridge a 4-5mm gap without sagging if I use a cooling fan.

Top surface
From you description, it sounds like you're either oozing, or that your over extruding.  reduce your flow a bit or speed up your infill.

I am happy to announce that SD3 is back on track and humming along again....

And now I have so printing issues I would like to get some feedback on.

Support:

I have honestly grown very tired of using support thru Repetier with Slic3r because it tens to make
my models an unholy mess... hard to seperate from the model and just unruly.

What is the best approach to support?  Especially with overhangs?

I actually really like the supports that are generated by Makeware (which we use at school with our Makerbot).
It peels pretty clean and isn't nearly as messy.  I am assuming it is using Skeinforge... but no idea how to see the
settings in it to try and set up skeinforge in Repetier the same way....

Bridging

Is there a trick to this?  does it have to be mega slow when printing this?  Or is all dependant on what kinda strand is being used?

Top surfaces

I have noticed with a lot of my models recently that when it starts doing the top layers and filling in to solid... that I get a LOT of curling and strand breakage as it prints... the curling eventually leads to pilling or gumballs that mess up the final flat surface and sometimes even cause what looks like burnt ABS balls in the surface... I have at times added extra layers just so it will cover this back up eventually....

I know a lot of this is in setup in Slic3r... and I have still have a lot to learn on that for sure....

Is skeinforge a better slicer than Slic3R?

Can gcode from Makeware be imported to Repetier for printing?

any help guys and gals?

I can post up some pics this evening of what I am talking about if you want...

Matt