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wow, when you make a first post, you go all the way. 
i started pretty much the same way, but i wanted to go up to 100 NL as fast as possible. so, i chased bonuses and bought PT quickly. but, most importantly...BR mgmnt, just like you said.
however, 14/5 will get paid at 10, less at 25, imo. as the players, while not very good, are a bit better. your W$aSD of 58% is right on target (upper 50's to lower 60's is ideal). the further you move up, the more you will realize you lose action on the hands you play. you simply dont play enough of them for people to get in there with you unless they hit a set or flush...therefore, when they play back at you, they are not bluffing...for the most part. the table maniac may still be bluffing, but the rest are not. notice that, and fold.
however, i started "opening up my game." if i were you...
1) raise and RR AK like it were AA unless you "have a read" on your opponent as "tight" or "passive."
2) in a pot where you have position, and more than 2 limpers, limp/call the raise w/ 89s and better, AXs, and any other hand that plays well in mulit-way pots. however, fold unless you hit a very strong hand (one that beats KK/AA) or a nut-type draw (not a backdoor draw).
3) learn how and when to "protect your hand." this requires some research and experimenting (imo, at a limit game...or forum).
although #3 may be a bit unrelated, it will give you an idea as to when you should call, and when you need to "drive out other marginal hands" that could beat you.
do this stuff at the 10 NL level, or move up. it wont make much of a difference, as the play is pretty much the same.
and as for your 4 buy-in swing at 25, it may be "fear" or too much respect for the level, but it may also be your first real test with "variance." and dont worry, if you play poker long enough, you will experience a worse one...we all will/have.
just keep playing the game you are comfortable with, and slowly mix in some newer "ideas." some you will stick with, some you wont. but, you will never stop growing as a player, and therefore, should always be getting better...no matter what your win-rate says (over the short-term).
keep us posted.
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