As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the energy crisis as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 52 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 83. It glowed, rather like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located B 53. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to walk around, I stumbled upon Abell 32. It appeared at low power like a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 506. It was easy, just like ripples of water. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2577 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 202 in Canis Major. It appeared to be one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I showed some guests Abell 12 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I added to my logbook B 106. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 3188. It reminded me of a whale spouting. Next, I found NGC 5695. It seemed most like Demi Moore. Then, I found by accident IC 3127 in Canes Venatici. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 4 in Lynx. It was even more difficult than Miss Piggy. After that, I found M 15. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I studied IC 1744. It was easy, just like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 97. It was even more difficult than yet another globular. Next, I went for B 491 in Serpens. It looked a bit like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 3. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I tried IC 1249. It glowed, rather like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 2060. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I slewed to M 41. It seemed most like its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 50. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum.
Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than a 24-hour 007 marathon.