ok ok, NOW i got it.

apparently, if you don't define "SnapEdges=0" , rainmeter will automatically hug the side of the monitor (even if it's not draggable? wtf?).

so for future reference: if your rainmeter config is close to the edge of the screen, but you don't want it butt up against the edge, make sure you define the SnapEdges value as "0" or else rainmeter will automagically move it over to the edge.

i can't believe i'm having a thread with myself. how far i've fallen. :|