so i've got the 18-135 kit lens as well as the 50mm 1.4 lens. i want to protect these guys. what do yo recommend? a lens hood or filter? hood will help with flares and filter will help against dirt/grime getting on the lens itself. is it possible to get both?

you can get both.

as far as photography goes, i hear two camps: 1. get yourself a UV filter to protect your expensive glass. 2. why put cheap glass on expensive glass.

It's entirely up to you. glass these days is made pretty durable. I have protective filters on half my glass (Nikon and Canon) but I've never scratched the glass on any of my lenses. Dirty is easy enough to clean, be it a filter or the actual lens.