many years ago, after months of waiting for the embassy to process my misses visa, and getting replies from people who worked there but then had gone on holiday for weeks or on courses, i emailed every manager at the embassy and told them i was with their service, the next day i got a copy of an email from one manager to another manager, saying it looks like i wasn't having much luck with the embassy and could he sort it out, later that day my misses got a call saying her visa and passport were ready