After dumping a cell phone in the pool, I have heard that the thing to do is imediately dump it into some rubbing alcohol, to displace the water, then let it dry out.

As for not being able to live without the cell phone, that is really not the issue at all, I don't always work everyday, but I am getting paid for it anyways, so the phone has to be convenient for me to answer it when they call. I also have a computer business, and missing calls there sometimes costs me some serious cash. The ziplock could work, I may try it, the waterproof bags meantioned are ok, I have seen them used while white water rafting.
Really, what I ultimately wanted was basically a swivel "house" for the items, which I may just have to fabricate myself. Easy enough.