I cycle to and from work every day now, big woop.

Anyway, not being one who regularly cycles, I've got some questions for you cycling types.

1. What stuff do you carry around with you?
2. I've got shit pan ears, is it worth spending a bit on getting water proof ones so I don't need bags within my bags to keep things dry?
3. How much of a big deal do you make to let the traffic know you're moving in from the bike lane to the road because the bike lane is about to end? Do you stop, or just let them deal with it?
4. How often do you get your bike serviced? I'm currently doing 75 miles a week including two big hills and my brake pads wore through after three months, is this normal, or is something wrong?
5. My bike was 125 quid second hand, would be 225 quid new (was as new condition). Lots of bikes are WELL expensive, like fucking cars. What's the benefit of getting one of those super bikes, is it worth it?
6. I wear hi-vis stuff because when I'm driving at night I can see hi-vis cyclists far easier than I can see bellends in black with a little fucking light. Why isn't more cycling stuff hi-vis so people don't get killed.
7. Bike lights have two modes, solid light, like all other vehicles, and flashing light like a fucking child. However, the majority of other cyclists seem to have the child version as their default setting. Why? Which is better?
8. My biggest priority for cycling is not dying, then it's not causing long term damage to myself. What else do I need to consider?
9. I spent thirty five quid on a specialised helmet, that good or better to spend more on one that will save my life when I get hit by a car (happened once already, tumbled over the bonnet like a hero, wrote off one of my bike wheels but otherwise unhurt).
9. What's the difference between a cyclone, hurricane, tornado and gale force winds?

Answers to these questions are greatly appreciated, and encouraged from the larger community, even ones which value humour above usefulness.