Okay - talk about German efficiency.
I applied for my German work permit/visa at the consulate (although the website was kinda annoying -- but this is coming from a UX person). I went to my appointment 40 minutes early. I thought to myself, "I'll just read a magazine or something." I didn't even have a chance to sit down and BAM! My appointment was ready (damnnnnn). The person that I was speaking to was EXTREMELY nice and super duper friendly. I told him about my situation that I was going on a trip mid December and that I needed my passport and wondered if I needed to cancel my trips. He told me that they only needed my passport for the first week or two and if I e-mailed them the week before my trip, then I can come pick up my passport! Phew!
So the Monday before my trip, I e-mailed them. I literally e-mailed them everyday. I felt kind of bad because I was harassing them for my passport. Luckily, I received an e-mail from them on Thursday and they told me my VISA WAS READY! They told me that after I sent the appropriate documents afterward that they would offer me a date and time to pick up the passport. After sending the docs, I harassed them again everyday. Finally yesterday (Monday), they sent me an e-mail to tell me that they sent me passport via mail.
All in all -- pretty good experience. Felt bad for the people that were receiving e-mails from me, however, if they sent a quick response back, I don't think I would've felt so much anxiety about my passport.