As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the current implications of chaos theory 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 16 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It appeared at low power like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 73. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water. After that, I tried Abell 89. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen.
After a short break to do some yoga, I identified Abell 24. It reminded me of a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 30. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 2404. It was even more difficult than diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 3824 in Canis Major. It looked like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 95. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 72. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I added to my logbook B 500. It shimmered, as if it were George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 3338 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of cotton candy.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.