Degree a camshaft.

Not really a problem if you "KNOW" TDC is TDC. But your extra step might get you more power. I myself usually go a few steps forward and backwards to make sure I have optimum tune.
Exactly. 34-36* is a decent starting point. But I, like you, will go up about 3* and see how it responds. If it likes it, I'll go up another couple till it's totally happy. When I'm at the drag strip, I will do tests like this and see how the car responds.