advice for...lenses, flash, tripod

lately, ive been doing landscape, portrait, street-life and nightlife style photography most of the time. however, im not sure if that's because i dont have a telephoto lens, or because i've found a niche in the shorter focal ranges. i do, however, like to take shots of people in all types of environments...

i am planning on eventually expanding and trying out all types of photography, and i would like to try out longer focal ranges, but at the same time, i'm wondering if i should focus on the type of shots im taking now, and upgrade my gear. i have thought of 2 different paths i might want to take in the coming months...

option 1:
- speedlite 580 EX
- sigma 30/1.4
- canon 17-40/4 L
- upgrade my 50/1.8 to 50/1.4

option 2:
- tripod
- 70~200/2.8 L (still not sure whether to take IS or not)

i could think of an option 3, perhaps a 580ex, tripod and the 70~200/4 and either sigma 30 or canon 17~40...but part of me just would prefer to just go strong in one area...

any advice/input would be appreciated!!!

Get a tripod first (Bogen with a decent ball head that you can afford) and a shutter release. It will open up a whole new way of taking pics and looking for compositions.

If you have only little money left over then find the LONGEST focal length your remaining money can buy e.g. EF 7X-300mm III/III USM/IS USM etc (or buy used, you can get great deals on LA Craig's list).

If you got more tacos in the bank then get the 430EX (new) or a decent used 420/550/580EX. It will open up a whole new way of of taking handheld pics.

If you still got money left over then get an L.

Seems like option 1 would be the most bang for your buck. I've never been much of a tripod shooter myself.