Quick update:
I just got my Chinese visa! I dropped the application off at A. Briggs Passport Expetitors near Downtown Crossing last Friday, then just had to wait. I’ve heard some horror stories from people whose visas got stuck in the consulates for weeks or months, but I was optimistic (and perhaps foolhardy). Today, it showed up at work at 10:00! My passport is back with the actually-quite-attractive Chinese visa on page 12.
The only strange thing is that it was issued in 华盛顿 (Washington D.C.), even though I thought I’d have to get it from New York…
Regardless, it’s here, and this trip is really happening!