Hi,
Firstly can we get rid of the ' Mr ' bit, we are a bit more relaxed here.
As you are using your backpack as a dark bag for loading your films, does that mean you are having to have them printed for you ?
Although you get total control over your film by doing your own developing the real fun bit is printing. It is at this stage that you have the greatest impact on the final result.
If you have not got to printing yet, see if you can visit someone with a darkroom who does B & W. A local photographic club member, or does the Austin American Statesman still run a darkroom ? If so can you get a visit ? Colour printing was never quite so much fun. A colour safe light gives off so little light that you have to just sit there for 1/2 an hour as your eyes get acclimatised. You have to use deep tank or drum processing. With drum processing you seem to spend more time washing up after each print - it just loses the fun element. With B & W you are off, once the chemicals are mixed.
In my opinion once you have had a go at B & W printing you will regard the film developing process as necessary, but not the fun bit.
There is nothing like watching the image appear on the paper in the developing tray ... MAGIC !!
Don