Question #1:

Is there a way to lock your selection in the 3D viewport? Example, you have a complex rig, many controls, but you only want to work with one specific one. Is there a keystroke, button, etc., that I'm missing that will lock my selection and make it so I don't select off the object accidentally when I click and miss the handle or click and accidentally hit another control? And no, I don't mean making all the other objects unselectable in the network editor. That would be a PITA unless you coded up something in python to do it for you. In most applications I've used (Max, Maya, etc.) there's a toggle for locking what you have hold of. Is there such a toggle in Houdini?

Right-click on the Select icon in the viewport's left toolbar. Choose Secure Selection (hotkey is the equal ( sign). Is that what you're looking for?

Exactly so. Thank you, Edward.