I DID IT!!

heres what the deal was. I tried like 500 different compilations of
apache and mod_perl using apache toolbox, and most of them worked as
far as serving up pages was concerned.

last time it did work, i compiled apache and mod_perl together
manually, so i decided to do that again this time. by golly that was
it-works like a charm now. I dont know if it was the mod_perl rev that
was holding it up (v1.28(toolbox) vs. v1.29(downloaded)) or just the
way apachetoolbox brings them together. i donno.

regardless its back and work, and forgive me for bugging you, i
understand being swamped.