Manastone - Best way to approach?

[Annona]

If I can accomplish but one thing before legacy items disappear, it is to obtain a manastone.

What am I looking at here in terms of what I will have to endure? I know there is a list and how it works. I know there will be a line. So I guess my true questions are:

1) Is it best to attempt this now or in a month or two when perhaps more people already have it?

2) What kind of time am I realistically looking at in order to have a chance at this? At best I can put a full weekend into it, non-stop if I have to.

3) As long as I continue to meet the criteria to maintain my spot on the list is there any way that I can still get screwed out of the item?

4) What is the list length typically right now and how many stones are dropped a day approximately?

Any advice is appreciated but I am dead set on getting one and my hope is someone can give me advice to make it as easy as possible (which won't be easy I know).

Thanks.