Dodging a Bullet

So this is my self-portrait from Art class. It is in oil.
Personally I wish it were better, but I'm never quite satisfied with anything I make. I always notice something wrong. Then again, this is about.... either the third or fourth serious self portrait I've ever done, first one in oil. I've worked with oils before though, so at least I had that while making it.
I don't like the earring. It was supposed to emphasize the gravity of the picture, but I had troubles with it and it ended up just being a distraction. This thing also needs more texture, better contrast, and such.
It also should have been more creative. The pose is boring. The background barely suffices.
This was hard for me to do because I don't like painting or drawing myself. There are so many other things out there that have more... what is it... je ne sais quoi. I was excited for this, but I never really liked looking at myself in the mirror, and unfortunately that's what you do with self portraits.

Please critique! I need to get much better at all this, so please please please help me learn.
Don't steal this please. You'd basically be stealing my face, which I of all people have obvious rights to it. Please don't make me put the watermark on there.