http://pastebin.com/Lgt8wVX5try this, no idea why but the connect function together with addnode and this list solved any connection probs for me.
additionally you can try to change the port with "port=9999" in the conf file, got a vpn that blocks port 9999 by default.
Thank you, I'll give that a try once the other thingy finishes, LOL

62.141.39.175 is my node , online 24/7.