can you track stand with your wheel facing one way (to the left say) and your opposite foot (right in this case) forward?

Yes.

yeah, it's weird and i don't like it though.

Hm... yeah, I think so but I have a smidge of toe overlap so it doesn't always work so hot for me. I've gotten in the habit of doing it "right".

Most use dominant foot forward..left or right. So if you are right foot dominant then yer wheel will probably be most comfortable with the wheel facing to the right. You wont have the same back and forth control with the pedals in the right foot..left steering. Kind of like going on a slight decline instead of an incline.

Yes, thats the best way to prime yourself for the reverse 360. If you can trackstand opposite your dom foot, then you've pretty much got it on lock.

Har, that's how I usually end up doing it.