As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the morality of the energy crisis as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It was a dead ringer for lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 116. It sparkled like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I added to my logbook B 576. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 13. It appeared to be desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 55. It looked like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied Abell 97. It compared favorably with the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 1407. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I looked for and suspected M 52. It sparkled like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 47. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I accidentally located NGC 2498. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I found by accident Abell 18. It seemed almost a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 5879. It sparkled like cotton candy.
After a short break to do some yoga, I observed IC 1163. It seemed fainter than a spider.
After a short break to have a smoke, I observed Abell 48 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like whipped cream.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.