i was driving up a steep hill on the way to work yesterday(i had been driving for about 10 minutes so the car was warm) when i noticed a ticking noise. the more gas i gave it the louder it got. i got to the top of the hell and it seemed to go away. i drove another 15 minutes to work and turned the car off. i thought maybe something was getting loaded up with fuel and the tick was coming from the exhaust so i wrote it off. 7 hours later im driving home and about 10 minutes into the ride i notice the ticking again. it continued until i got home and it did it regardless of engine rpm. as soon as i got home i popped the hood to see if i could hear where it was coming from but i couldn't narrow it down.i'd think it would have to be a manifold leak or lifter. it really sounds like a lifter in my opinion. i checked the oil and the oil was only on the very edges of the dipstick so it was hard to tell.i guess it could be low on oil too. i will be changing the oil and filter when i get home today. now im sitting at work paranoid that a lifter is wiped out along with my cam. BTW.. the engine is stock and it has 57,000 original miles. any ideas?

If the oil doesn't clear it up, I'd guess a broken exhaust manifold bolt. My car has a few broken and it ticks just like you describe - louder with more throttle because there are more exhaust gasses with more throttle.
With the engine running, try feeling for puffs of hot exhaust gas coming out around where the exhaust manifolds meet the heads.

Low oil level WILL cause the lifter/lifters to tick. Don't run it to low. Throw a quart or 2 in it for now and see if it goes away. I bet it will.

its pretty loud , even at idle.that leads me to believe its not the manifold. ill let you know what happens in a couple hours. thanks for the input.

i found out it was indeed my oil level. i changed my oil and filter and let it run for 5 minutes and now shes quiet again. thanks for the help everyone!