Made it into the office! 5 miles one way, had some mechanical failure with the rear wheel, but made it otherwise safe and sound.

It was really fun. Can't wait to get home now.

Awesome! Welcome to the club.

just wait it get even more fun. Once you dont need to concentrate on the route. I am on my fifth day and already weighing a new bike purchases just for the commute

Yey!

Congrats on taking the plunge!
It really does get easier the more you do it. Things become habitual - your gear, your route, your locking routine, so you can just relax on your ride and have even more fun.

Welcome to club.

Congrats!
It will become second nature very quickly.

On the mechanical thing, I highly recommend taking a basic bike maintenance class to become more familiar with your bike. It will be liberating, and will avoid so much anxiety if you have a working understanding of your bike.

Congrats. After a few days it gets easier.

Congrats man!

I'm an avid road biker, so I have experience in riding in busy streets. I haven't had experience riding with a load, as I have one saddle bag that was loaded with a laptop and a toiletries bag. I installed new clipless pedals last night so I could wear my road shoes, but I'm contemplating putting on my Forte Campus pedals with SPD on one side and platform on another.

I'm riding a single speed, so off the line is a bit tough, and about 2 miles in, the back wheel fell off as I jumped the light. I was also having some trouble with the rim rubbing the brake pad. I guess it rides a bit different with no load than with a load.

Should my bag be on the left or right side of the bike? I only have one saddle bag and a trunk bag.

Congrats on your first ride! I am already a bit sad that I can't commute tomorrow b/c of a doctor's appointment and today was only my second day!

Very nice!

Switch the side your bag is on every week. it'll help with the way your tires wear.

I have a single pannier and always keep in on the right. At night, it allows cars to see my left pedal reflector (yes, I have pedal reflectors) and sometimes I use a reflective ankle strap on the left, too. Reflectives that move are much more attention-getting to cars than others.
Sounds like you would not have reflectors on your clipless pedals though! In that case, you might think about putting a strip of white reflective material on your crank arm facing front and/or back. The white material is almost invisible during the day, but the motion makes it pretty visible at night. It's easy to remove later, too, without leaving any trace.

There's a club? How do I join? Is there a fee? I would be the only member in my area!!

I do not have pedal reflectors, but I do wear a neon reflective vest, two PB Superflashes, and a fake Knog Frog, as well as Tire Flys, the lights you mount on the tube valve.

If you place your bag on the left side it might give the illusion of you being wider than you really making sure cars give you a wide berth. I don't agree with changing the bag from one side to the other though as I don't see how your tires would wear any differently.

I am surprised by the mechanical problems you had. You should check and make sure everything is tightened correctly.

Congrats, and welcme to the commuter club. AKA The Cat 6 racing club.