Shifter is making noise:
I don't think that's normal

 

heat shield above the cat. it's loose and banging around.
you able to pick up the shifter...err not sure if THAT'S normal.

 

Definitely not normal for you to pickup the shifter like that. You should be able to see the screws that hold the shifter in place if you take the dust boot off. Just remove the plastic cover that holds leather boot around the shifter exposing the dust boot rubber.