Boy oh boy... where do I even start with this? Not even sure if this is the right spot

Guess a little background first... I'm a 26 yr old guy living in San Antonio, a military Lt. I've studied pretty much everything regarding pickup, starting with Mystery, mixed with Neil Strauss, along with Paul Janka, and including classics such as the selfish gene/sperm wars/48 laws of power. I think I started reading like 3 years ago. I unfortunately did not care about women in college. Looking back I could have probably nailed at least 3-4, even with my weak game had I shown any interest in them... I am slim (god what I would do for a few extra lbs) but muscular, and 5'11". Generally, older women/friends tell me I am attractive/handsome. I don't know why I included this though because it doesn't seem to me to matter much

Fast forward to today. I have no problem getting dates. I go on maybe a couple a month (yes this is low, but I don't game every day and I am not motivated to approach that many women). I probably approach maybe 1-5 women a week, whether online or in person.

I have no problem talking with people and feel dominant/confident regardless of the interaction. My job requires it, so I am pretty good with anyone (except true weirdos). I don't use canned material at all. My game is pretty much freestyle. I have blown myself up many times... talking bad about someones clothes to their friends or talking about a woman's hands that does hair.. yea bad threads xD But nonetheless, you learn over time. I generally know before I am going down a bad thread and can cut it (or when they start one).

I was gaming hardcore last year, going out by myself to malls or w/e and I don't think I got one number in like 2-3 weeks. This was probably a game issue as I would pretty much tell the woman she was attractive and then go for the number, or I would blow myself out before I even had a chance.

After a hiatus, I feel I have a better perspective. Even though I still try to keep interaction like a movie trailer; I find spending a little more time, getting laughs (big one), and demonstrating value in some ways leads to a better reaction. With the 2 girls I most recently successfully picked up (one online and one at a store), I spent more time with them to try to form a genuine connection. Unlike mystery, I don't like entertaining crowds and think it's best/easiest to be 1 on 1.

The good thing is money is a non-issue, though I don't showcase it (I should probably work on 'peacocking' as I certainly have the $). I don't like peacocking all that much, although I dress well. I just feel it can come off wrong if not done right. I think having a nice car would help me a lot more, but I can't get that right now. I have been thinking about a tattoo or some nice gold jewelry. I think a few nice items go a long way.

I have cold approached strangers enough times to where I have no problem. I prefer day to night game, as PJ would point out you have less competition. After you spend a few days in a mall cold approaching you become unshakable. Plus you can see your targets a little better. I like gaming in the mall, department stores, or events like a race (women in tights - gotta love it). I also find these environments are often much better grounds as in clubs there are almost always more guys than women and the women are often sitting on a guys lap or surrounded by men....

I went last year on vacation to NOLA, and I think I had a very good success rate for number closing. I think I got like 10/15 numbers or something like that, but getting responses was hard, and I couldn't get anyone to meet me. I gave off a fun vibe, asked most of the women out to a gathering when I was face to face with them and got their numbers. But like I said, nothing ever happened. I tried not to seem like a vagabond, but thinking back I might have come off as one. I think I told several that I was in town on vacation, instead of anchoring myself as a regular.

So, my 'problems' mainly fall into 2 categories: I almost always get hit with the boyfriend line here in SA. Yes I know how to press through this, but sometimes it doesn't seem to matter. One of the last women I asked out was the door woman at a restaurant, and after she said that I continued to talk and she just talked over me with "I'm flattered" standard fluff BS. It was like she wasn't going to let me go any further regardless. The girl I tried to pick up at work even though we had a solid interaction wasn't going to let me get past the boyfriend point, even after she aired all her dirty laundry. And there are many more examples I can recall.

The second problem is fizzling out. I recently had interest from 2 women. One I picked up at a department store, and she was excited to exchange numbers. The second messaged me on match. They started and ended almost exactly the same way at the same time too lol... We met in person once (both meetings went very well - in my view and according to their words/actions), we texted a few days after, then no response. I know how to play it cool, I only reciprocate texts and try to match what ever she is sending in length. I basically asked them out last weekend, and neither responded. This happens frequently. Most of the time they let it fizzle, sometimes I do.

One thing I've been thinking about recently is how I am perceived. I was so strong in frame with a young 24 yr old woman I approached in the Academy that she texted me multiple times asking if I had picked any other women up etc. lol.... I wasn't even peacocking that day, and I still came off like a 'player' which I think sets off red flags in any female mind.

I have thought about why I am running into these problems and there is a lot of logic behind them. Attractive women have options. They are pursued often. Also, we most often have few long lasting relationships with females or males in our lives. Sometimes even good friends don't respond to one another quickly.

I have thought that I am aiming too high but honestly with the experience I have, I don't care to game much less than an 8, because any less isn't a challenge or exciting. I guess the one consistent theme is just keeping interactions short cuz honestly the investment of time/$ doesn't have an effect on outcome.

Wrap could always use improvement. I think it's gotten better like anyone would with experience. Like PJ I recognize this is a numbers game. So maybe I should just go out and grind more lol...

Anyone have any insight or suggestions on what is going wrong or are these results typical?