Worlds Worst Pretzels

Cant believ what just happened!!!!!!

I just typed a whole blog on howi mad the worst pretzels...and even that got lost!!!!hell ...Iam definitely jinxed with pretzels i think!!!!

I baked two..absolutely horrendous , unedible pretzel batches.....am so upset..I think ill just go to the technicalities and leave out the emotions( or at least try)

i used dry active yeast

1) my 1st batch....the dough did not double even after one hour,....should i have left it longer

2) 2nd batch, left it overnight to ferment(had to leave for work) and it was so soggy that i could not roll it

3)how does boiling a pretzel help it

4)the wannabes(Even I cant  call them pretzels) were stone hard...the 1st batch was rubbery and uncooked and the 2nd were hard as bread sticks!!!!

5) How do the pictures show these well browned pretzels...mine were white, the colour of the flour even after they were hard!!!!

6) are there some basic baking rules in making the dough which can be learnt only by watching...because i read it online and did the kneading, proofing relaxing bit

7)Pl advice:)

taking a break form pretzels, i found them were ego damaging!!!!