Between the movie and the release party, we decided to run home for the interim. Having ridden my bike and been fairly active all day, I was tired. I manage to fend off sleep though, and at 11:30 we headed out again.
Last release party it was crowded, and we had no clue what to do. This year, I already had my bracelet, and there is another Barnes and Noble to draw off some of the throngs. It was strange walking past the long lines and being escorted right on inside.
Inside, we were ushered closer to the front of yet another long line. We found where the 200’s ended and got at the back of that line, chatting with our compatriots and listening to the minute-by-minute countdown provided by the sales staff…
Cashiers, log into your stations!
Ignition sequence start!
11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 – and cheers erupted.
As the line progressed, we were pushed even further forward into the line by virtue of the fact that our bracelet was in the low 200’s – 204. They were actually calling out bracelet numbers. Less than ten minutes after the countdown, and we were standing at the counter receiving our copies of the book. Rather than fight over it, or spoil it for each other, we bought two. We’ll donate one copy to someone when we’re done.
By 12:15 we were back in the car, and by 12:25 we were home. I felt a bit sorry for those with blue bracelets, who had not even been let into the store. But not sorry enough to keep me from enjoying a couple of chapters of the book before I slipped off to sleep.
Amazon got me my copy in the mail today. Pretty impressive timing. However, I then found out that a local used book (mostly) place had it. I’d have gladly bought it from them, even for a bit more. Nothing v Amazon.com, but I “buy into” local book stores if they are good. These are transplanted Vermontese. Basically good people, though suffering from some of the condescention toward the South that is all too easy given what this reagion and its inhabitants do and say.
Regardless, the first few chapters are not exactly uplifting. 😉