Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to hear the quality is high enough to make the purchase worthwhile, and the waterresistance thing is definately good. My current bag is prone to letting in water when it really gets wet here.

The messenger bag suggestion I don't think will help me. It won't solve the sweating problem and the ones big enough to hold what I need to carry would swallow me up I think.

I am thinking about picking up some folding Wald baskets at least until I can afford something more waterproof like the the Bug. I had forgotten about that option, and it will help with making grocery runs and such with the bike as well. Definately going to get one for my car-free roomate at least.