> Is there some simple way that I can make all this (exciting) loading
> take place in the few seconds after I get my prompt and am working on
> my files?

Two techniques will serve that purpose.
Take a look at `autoload' (use the built-in documentation or Google),  
which loads packages when they are needed.

Also, you can load your stuff and dump a saved state. This is  
described in the Emacs (Lisp) Reference Manual, e.g. under "Building  
Emacs".
This will, however, only work for some packages and is probably going  
to be much more tricky for you.