Quick update:

I've taken some advice that I've seen and I've been modifying my technique and angle to err on the side of too flat rather than too aggressive. I think my angle was way too aggressive the first time.

For the trouble spots on either side of the adam's apple, the technique that I finally found to work was ATG, pointing slightly inward, working mostly with the toe half of the blade. Works great and is probably the least irritation I have gotten with that area of my neck with any blade! Watching a lot of videos helped.

I have also greatly improved my lather routine. I purchased shaving soap from a local vendor on a whim (I was at a local fair). I was having a hard time getting satisfactory lather out of that, but I found that if I loaded up the brush with soap first, then worked in a mug that had a minute amount of aforementioned shave cream, that I got the most amazing lather I have ever worked with! The technique is similar to the uber lather on the wiki, except that I do not add glycerin (the soap says that it contains natural glycerin, not sure if I should trust that though...). Also, to keep the lather warm, I filled the sink with hot water (my tap is super hot), and placed the mug in the water as I did the prep and shave, in addition to the preheating of the brush and mug.

The only issue I am having is I consistently cut (not nick, but cut) myself in the same place on the cheek, about a half inch from the side of my lip on my right side, when I am coming in to do the whiskers above my lip. I have grown very conscious of this, and try to be extra careful in that area, but I still cut myself. I currently have three separate inch long cuts, all going the same direction, and all sitting right next to each other! I'm sure I'll figure out what I'm doing to cause this, and it is not enough to make me give up, but I'm sure I look like a fool when I walk into the office in the morning with yet another fresh cut...

Other than that, my technique is definitely improving, thanks for all of the advice! I feel that my skin is adjusting to the str8, and is feeling healthier than back when I used cartridge razors and aerosol shaving cream. My absolutely wonderful wife is confused by why I am so enamored by this stuff, I guess she never thought that something as mundane as shaving could be considered a hobby