Welcome to SRP. I had a fellow member lived 30 miles (one way) away from me. He offered to show me the ropes in honing and I took him up on it. Made 3 or 4 round trips to his house for tutoring in the fine art of honing a straight razor. Made all the difference in the world.
You can watch videos and pick it up but seeing it in person is like the difference between buying a loaf of store bought bread or having it fresh baked. Take Oz up on his offer and fly through the clouds or remain stubborn (you said it, I didn't) and slog through the mud. :gl: