software update cannot connect

Guys, I have Lion on the MB Air and yesterday it just started giving me errors whenever I try to check for software updates... this was continuously happening for 2 days now and it also does the same on my iMac... this is the error I'd get:

"Software Update can’t connect to the update server. Make sure you’re connected to the Internet, and then try again."

It gives me the option to run Network Diagnosis which I did several times and it would find the connection with no issues. All this while I could connect to iTunes store fine and have full web access...

I've tried removing the softwareupdate.plist, setting up a new location in Network, even removing wifi connection and creating anew to no avail. I also have difficulty logging in to the Mac Appstore, I also tried changing my password but each time it'd just say connection failed and wouldn't let me log in at all...

Is Apple not liking me?

Thanks,

Jules