As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the human spirit 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 81. It was a blurry likeness of a spider.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sketched NGC 4315. It was like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked off Abell 78. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down Abell 3 in Septans. It seemed just like yet another globular.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I sought M 36. It was even more difficult than a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 405 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 5832 in Camelopardalis. It appeared at low power like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 23 in Gemini. It was like Alan Rickman. Next, I showed some guests IC 3543. It appeared in the eyepiece like dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I accidentally located B 287. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 5491 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 296. It was even more difficult than a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I identified M 15 in Sagittarius. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus. Next, I found by accident B 243. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 6097. It seemed fainter than the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 3151. It was a dead ringer for the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I went for IC 3386 in Fornax. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 2397 in Ursa Major. It sparkled like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found Abell 22. It seemed most like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 811. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. Then, I hunted M 88 in Lynx. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I tried for IC 1796 in the western sky. It looked a bit like Gollum. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 1474 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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 hunting with the Vice President.