Last night in NJ was great, as always. The theatre was beautiful and intimate. Few observations, didn't start on time at all, doors were at 6:30 Stephen to speak at 7:30, he came out around 8. Even then not everyone was seated and for a sold out event I was surprised at the amount of empty seats all around.
The sound was good, maybe a little low but I could hear everything he said clear. My seat was great and on the center isle so I only had one person crammed beside me. Felt like I got a sweet isle seat on a plane. Stephen was funny and spoke amazing. I heard some stories I have not heard before and some that I had. My only complaint would be that I feel the event was cut a bit short and he did not read from "End of watch". I think this was because of the late start. He kept checking his watch multiple times like there wasn't enough time to do what he had planned.
I actually prefer more time of Stephen just winging it and telling funny stories than the actual book reading, but that's coming from someone who is a bit spoiled and has already heard Stephen read before. And there is something great about your favorite author reading to you from his book. So I do feel bad for the people in attendance for first time that missed out on that opportunity.
My other observation was that the check in and out and getting the books was handled very "loosely" for lack of better word. The printed email or show your phone thing was not checked very well at all, and honestly anyone could of just walked in and got a seat, same goes for the handing out of the books that the end. In fact I did not see ANYONE getting the stamp on their hand checked to receive the book at the end. Let me give you an example, I entered with my email print out and showed them I had two seats, that a gentleman I met outside was using my other seat but I was to receive BOTH books at the end. So I got TWO stamps on my hand to indicate I was to receive TWO books and the other guy got no stamp. Ok makes sense right? Well when we all waked out he was also handed a book. I have to image this wasn't the only instance of this as I seen many people with two stamps on their hands.
Overall the event went well and I enjoyed every min of it. I was lucky enough to get one of the signed books at the end. So that was the icing on the cake.
Now I will leave in a few hours to go to PA for that event, I hope that its a bit different from last night. I will post some pics of both tomorrow.