Department of Bureaucratic Hilarity

The consulate of a country that shall remain nameless (until I get my visa) has this to say in order to help you secure a visa:

How to Avoid Rush Hours and Save Your Time

May 18, 2005 Applicants are suggested to avoid the rush hours of the Passport and Visa Office to save their time. 1. Applicants are suggested to avoid the following busy dates and the long line: 1) All Mondays and Tuesdays; 2) First 2-3 days after the holidays of the Passport and Visa Office; 3) All afternoons. Generally speaking, it is less crowded during the first hour of the day, 9:00-10:00. Applicants are suggested to submit the applications as early as possible.

Gee, thanks for the help. This confirms that bureaucrats are a species from another galaxy.