Wow, I feel your pain.

I don't often use NW, but can't you keep calling back and asking for different dates. I have booked award tickets to Africa a couple times (on AA and UA), and have always spent quite a bit of time on the phone getting them booked (although I was booking for 3 seats each time).

Maybe you want to have this moved over to the NW/DT or Sky Team forum and someone can help you with the details of phoning rese.

Good luck, it will all be worth it once you get it all sorted out.