Questions re; starting out with Asatru in the Northeastern USA

[Ghost235]

Hey,

So, I'm thinking of trying to get a little more involved in the "local"* Heathen community.  I see that there are two events coming up in the next few months.  There is Trothmoot which is happening in a few weeks and the 2015 East Coast Thing happening in August.  I'm not sure which one I want to go to and don't have the time off and money to do both and have a few questions for people who might be familiar with Heathenry in the northeastern USA, especially in the tri-state area.  My apologies if my phrasing is not on point.

Here are my questions.

1.  For those who have gone to one or the other, what was that like?  
2.  For those who have gone to both, how do they differ?
3.  Are they good for someone who is newer to Asatru/has been away for a long time and wasn't super fluent even he was in it?
4.  Of the Kindreds in the tri-state area, which ones would be most likely to accept a left leaning weirdo**, such as myself?
5.  As a supplement to the last question, are there any groups/people/topics that I absolutely, positively MUST stay away from at all costs?

*In this case "local" means local to central/northern New Jersey, USA.

** Leaning towards Universalist, not a "gold star" Asatru(meaning I do non-Norse stuff, but I'm more than happy not to talk about it at Asatru events), etc.