krabuki

It does sound like the 24-70mm f/2.8L is right up your alley, that would have been my recommendation if you've got the budget. Since you're doing PJ work, having the flexibility probably overrides sharpness/max aperture considerations. The Tamron really is pretty decent though, so if you can't spring for the L immediately you should consider it. Having a f/2.8 with the 20D is a great combination and in terms of the tradeoff in max-aperture you genuinely gain a stop over the 10D or comparable camera. I have absolutely no qualms about shooting in 3200, and push in RAW to over 6400 pretty regularly. I definitely recommend shooting RAW though, the 20D's JPEG output is pretty shitty in comparison.

As for toting around that much gear... I definitely think about it, but I don't really have any worries. Chapel Hill ain't exactly a high-crime neighborhood and people are very respectful of "real" photographers at the places I frequent. I don't carry around all my gear all the time - usually just three lenss - the 35, 85 and 135.

Yeah, good luck - it's notoriously hard to get. You basically just have to place an order and keep your fingers crossed.

What I did was check stock with B&H and Calumet daily. I saw some stock come in at Calumet one morning, placed my order, and by the end of the day they were all gone!