Am I getting close?

I've been working on staying concious up into the actual dreaming state.
It felt like I've been close all 3 times I tried (in 1 night). Im not sure what 'sleep paralysis' is supposed to feel like, but I'm almost sure I felt something along those lines. And I start to hear certain obscure noises that I'm almost sure aren't really there, as well as start seeing some weird imagry. Except each time I open my eyes, I'm still in my room.
Am I jumping the gun? Is there a way to easily tell if its time.. heh

Any suggestions would be appreciated :) Constructive critisism as well!

Hey, instead of opening your eyes, why not try holding your noise and seeing if you can still breathe, like in Hargart's technique? Maybe by keeping your eyes closed, you won't completely wake up..?

I've experienced something similar to you, but it was during the WBTB method.. I kept seeing images in my room and hearing a LOUD noise, like my house was breaking! It really freaked me out, so I decided to sleep normally that night. :?

yeah, it is the problem.
Yesterday I've read some things on astral projection. Nothing special, but one line was really enlightening:

"for beginners, attempt to open eyes in astral plane also opens your eyes on physical plane" < or something like that

and I absoulutely agree with that. This thing ruined so many WILD attempts for me :(

I just read in a tutorial (Hargart's I think :) ) that if you feel you're in a dream, you should picture your room instead of opening your eyes and seeing it.

I did try the RT technique described, holding my nose and seeing if I could breath, but this much effort usually wakes me up too much.
Tonight I'm going to try this again, except I'll sleep for half the night beforehand, wakeup to the alarm, watch a bit of TV or something, then attempt a WILD :) I have a feeling I'm getting close.

As for the Astral Projection quote on opening the eyes, I feel it is something that could be, and was misconceived by me. When I had been reading "you will open your eyes and be in a dream", I literally thought I would have to open my eyes, but I think its more along the lines of : "You're eyes will be opened and you will find yourself in a dream."
This seems to make it more clear that it is a effortless action taking place.

Correct me if I'm wrong :)

Yep, you got it more or less right ;)
Sleep for about 6 hours first, get up, etc (like you said)
And when doing the WILD, don't open your physical eyes.

Oh, and sleep paralysis feels like a numbing feeling. And feels like you cant move basically. It sometimes also feels like a heavy weight is on your chest.