For a long time this was me. I tried to make female friends but it would never work out long term. It made me sad. I understand that loneliness of not connecting.

I have got a good few female friends now and they seem to like me as I am (like you I can be direct/pragmatic sometimes). I think I was lucky to meet them and don't really have a magical answer to do that, just generally follow your passions and you will have a good chance of meeting those who share them.