yeah, I kinda answered my own question, I had a fault base/socket believe it or not, and the thing wouldn't work, no idea how I managed that ( actually I think i forced the wrong size bulb it and broke it, lol), but I got a new one from the stealship for a solid $8 or so, and I'm happy now.
my problem before was the parking lights were really dim on the one socket, and the turn signal didn't work. After careful inspection, the pins on the opposite side of the bulb where it meets the wiring harness weren't exactly as they should have been. It's always the little things that seem to keep my car off the road.
I'm ready to rock now, hope to see some of you at the meet!! (quickly plans time for careful car cleaning so my ego isn't hurt =p)