Cash games update - no consistency

So I am still trying to consistently beat cash games. I have tried all sorts of strategies from playing the smallest games to playing several tables at once. I played in live games in Vegas and thought I did ok but was not a consistent winner.

When I multi-table online with 2 tables I seem to lose on one and win a similar amount on the other.  If I go to 4 tables I win on 2 and lose on 2. Doesn't that seem rigged.

So I am reading up online trying to figure out how to beat these games. I have several conflicting thoughts:

a) I can play cheap games (5c/10c) to learn but is anything in these games comparable to $3/$6 or higher. Maybe I will gain experience but maybe that experience will de-moralize me and not be relevant to games where a decent amount of money is at risk.

b) should I play limit or no limit.

c) should I play full ring game (9 or 10 handed) or 6 handed - it seems 6 handed has more action so maybe I should avoid this until I am consistently winning.

These are tough choices. I played some $1/$2 NL and had some decent winning sessions (300+) but then one or 2 losing sessions (500+) and that hurt! I step down to 5c/10c and play for what seems like ages and come out a few dollars up or down - it seems like a waste of time. Even though I am gaining experience I just cannot decide if it is "good experience" or "bad experience".

I have been reading online advice on the forums and general strategy articles. Also I ordered Lee Jones "Winning low limit poker" book from the library - this was recommended to me by a lady playing at the Bellagio when I was in Vegas so I figured it cannot hurt me to read it.

I'll see if it helps....