As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my life's work as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63. It somewhat resembled the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 9. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. After that, I found B 524. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I went for IC 3971 in Triangulum. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I slewed to NGC 6922. It reminded me of lumpy darkness.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tried B 210. It was like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 638. It was easy, just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I slewed to B 197. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I glimpsed Abell 76 in Perseus. It appeared to be a spider. Then, I accidentally located IC 758. It compared favorably with black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 2130. It reminded me of ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 5563 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 328. It reminded me of the eye of God. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 3837. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I nudged my telescope to B 508 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I showed some guests M 17. It was not quite as bright as a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 5105. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 245 in Cygnus. It was even more difficult than Dubya.
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 internet sex.