so, im definately losing oil and it appears from the bottom that it is beading on the bottom of my oil filter. is there a problem with my filter, the seal around the filter, or is there oil draining from above the filter and just rolling down the bottom and collecting there?

Is this an EA82 or EA81? I only have experience with EA81's so if thats what it is it could be a number of things. The simplest is that its not making a good seal with the pump and leaking from that gasket. More complicated but still fairly easy is that the pump gasket (gastket between the engine and the oil pump) is leaking and dripping down to the bottom of the filter. This is the most likely situation. Not sure if this advice translates to EA82's. good luck!!

Front main oil seal above the oil pump is often the cause of this and usually leaves a small pool of oil on the topside of the pump also.

Is this an EA82 or EA81? I only have experience with EA81's so if thats what it is it could be a number of things. The simplest is that its not making a good seal with the pump and leaking from that gasket. More complicated but still fairly easy is that the pump gasket (gastket between the engine and the oil pump) is leaking and dripping down to the bottom of the filter. This is the most likely situation. Not sure if this advice translates to EA82's. good luck!!