Here's your answers.
If you're giving it a fair shake as you say you are...and you're still confused. And you feel there are apparent inconsistencies..
THEN GIVE IT UP AND FORGET THAT CTE EVER EXISTED. IT IS NOT WITHIN YOUR CAPACITY TO LEARN IT. FORGET IT...FORGET IT..FORGET IT.
Buy Brian Crist's book on "Poolology", immerse yourself in IT. Learn his system, make all kinds of shots, win many games, win lots of money, kiss the pretty girls (or guys if you swing that way) and ENJOY POOL SHOOTING AGAIN. His system DOES WORK and you won't get any grief , debates, or arguments from anyone around here for using it...they all like it. You will make many friends.
There are thousands out there in the pool world using CTE who will not blink an eye over your abandonment...including me.
By the same token, there are thousands out there in the pool world using Poolology who will not blink an eye because I do not choose Poolology to aim pool shots. Neither will the "ghost ballers"...neither will the "90-90" guys, neither will the "just see the shot" guys.
In the final analysis of the big picture...nobody really gives a damn what you do or what I do either, when it comes to aiming pool shots. (except for a few nut cases on here who've lived a lie for 20 years ranting about how "Shuffett sells snake oil" and other such crud.")
FORGET ABOUT CTE...FORGET IT..FORGET IT.
You will have lots of company in this aiming forum to discuss with you how smart you are to forget that "stupid, lying, crooked, ignorant method of aiming".
Have fun.
Selah