I know what you mean about getting stressed out -- I just bought my first road bike a couple of weeks ago, and shopping for weeks and weeks, and fretted about buying the right bike, etc. I love my new bike, BUT I don't really love her paint scheme (and I feel very guilty about that ). I just keep telling myself that the bike herself is more important than her less than perfect esthetic. Definitely buy at a shop that makes you feel good about purchasing there. I could have gotten a slightly better deal at another store, but the vibe there just didn't do it for me. They seemed slightly condescending towards my husband because he rides a flat bar bike, and kept wanting to get him to look at "real" road bikes. So anyway, as others have said, the relationship with LBS is very important.

When I tested a Bianchi with campy, I thought the shifting felt sorta chopping, but have since read that campy has to be broken in. I don't know if that's true or not, but it does make me wish I had maybe asked more questions about it. I guess at the time, I was just happy to rule out one more bike from the running.

It sounds like you are on the right track, just try to relax and remember that you will most likely get a bike that you really enjoy (even if not perfect), and you will learn A LOT just from the process.

I too am a forum addict albeit an "incognito" addict as I usually just read without posting much....

Good luck - sorry for the rambling