Stop in for a cup of coffee

yeah.

So. let me ask. This weekend was the first time I'd put the battery to the new harness, before then, I had it just wired to the makeshift harness based on the chart I think it was ray or you gave me that allowed me to bypass the underdash harness and just operate the points and coil. now, I disconnected it but could that have left the coil energized and maybe I somehow shorted it ?

If you didn't unhook it it could cause damage. All you need is 12 volts to the power side of the ballast.