I think that's the best way to do it. There are some sites that host like 3/4 of the current blockchain or something, but I never actually tried to find them or anything, so maybe they aren't any faster.You could always try one of the bitcoin programs that isn't a full implementation of the protocol and doesn't need to download the whole thing? Don't know what you're trying to do. I think running bitcoin-qt (or bitcoind) overnight is your best bet. I wouldn't worry about doing it through Tor, since lots of people are bitcoin enthusiasts: that really isn't suspicious, if you ask me.As for whether you stay anonymous or not when it's through Tor... I really can't say one way or the other. Maybe somebody else knows.