Despite Obsidiann's comment, I decided to raise my crushing skill so I could make better use of the Nullifying Staff skill. I found the arena trick has been "fixed"... alas, no more raising weapon skills there. But the approach was a good inspiration. I found some barely grey mobs (so they couldn't hurt me) and a fast, very low-damage crushing weapon (so I wouldn't kill them too fast) and just let my toon whack on them while I watched TV. It's not fast but it works, and my staff actually hits now.
thanks!