In what direction do you turn the 'adjuster?' thing on the rear shock to raise the rear up? Also is there a method to doing this without a cnterstand attached to the bike?

turn so the numbers go up.

you can do it on the side stand, just have a buddy lift up on the rear while you adjust

or get shorter dogbones....

swapping the stock shock for a Katana 600 shock will also add about 1 1/2" to the seat height.   See Pantablo's site for an in-depth explaination of replacement rear shocks and their effect on seat height.

I just put on a 140/80/17 rear tire (Avon AV46) and it raised the seat height even more.

I'm puttin in a SV1000S shock that raises the rear like an inch I think maybe more