I joined last month and have messaged about 14 women with only a couple of responses...I need to know if I'm throwing off a negative vibe, or have my preferences to narrow, something like that. Thanks

maybe change your profile pic, you look kinda silly.

probly do, we both do.

You say in your profile the pic is old..Maybe add a current one.
Profile reads nice.
Welcome to Mingle2

Women here are the same as everywhere.
They want to know you a bit before
engaging with you.
The forums facilitate this.

Profile is okay, nothing grabs.
You could look at profiles until
you see one you like, and determine
what approaches they used, that seem
so effective.

You might mention what you seek, some
gals like that.

Change your picture around often. Say somethign about something. Don't complain, nobody likes complaitants, it reminds them too much of their neighbour when he sued them over the dog and the laxative-laden steak.

Don't use too many adjectives. Look at Hemmingway, he was a huge hit, and he did not use adjectives. And he wasn't even a bassist in a band whose probation spells out in a court order never to use adjectives until he receives a pardon.

I used to email women like crazy. I would advise you against that. Somehow I got stuck in that, and I can't go back. I am now crazy, just like the face of the proverbial kid won't go back to normal when he makes faces and his mom warns him to stop that.

In the late middle ages a class of circus-people manufacturers, the Pachohindrians, specialized in distorting faces of children, so they could make money as a circus act. "The Laughing Man", a huge tome by Victor Hugo, had a hero who had been transfigurated by a bunch of Pachohindrians, and the only people who still could like him were his blind but gorgeous and saintly, frail and viriginal girlfriend, his gay bear whom he wrestled in town squares for money, and his frigid wolf.

Start by not using an old picture. Get some new, up to date pictures to add to your profile. Leave the baggage part out as well.