As an update...

Thanks for all the advice. I believe my prep is fine... I shave directly after a nice hot shower. (I take HOT showers... usually end up nice and pink from the heat.)
I made a lather that FINALLY lasted the entire shave with Proraso... it only took about twice the water necessary as to build the same lather from a cake soap. Not at all what I had expected from a cream product... I would have assumed cream products would require a bit less water for the same lather.

I did get a good clean shave, an entire pass was just about done before I had to relather the soulpatch area as it had started to dry there... so greatly improved.

I can see why Proraso is liked, but I'm not 100% that it's right for me... I'll give it a few more shaves before I decide.