As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of TAC as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 20 in Gemini. It appeared at low power like a spider.
After a short break to have a smoke, I nudged my telescope to IC 3363. It was a dead ringer for the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 222. It seemed almost a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident NGC 888. It looked a bit like ripples of water. Next, I tracked down Abell 87. It looked uncannily like blackness. After that, I glimpsed Abell 51 in Sculptor. It appeared as a cantilever bra. Next, I found by accident M 86 in Sculptor. It sparkled like a spitting cobra. Next, I checked off NGC 2715 in Camelopardalis. It looked a bit like fleecy wool. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 83. It compared favorably with blackness. Next, I observed B 161. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. Next, I tried IC 608. It glowed, rather like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 605. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I star-hopped to M 46 in Orion. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident Abell 36. It would be easy to confuse with Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 588. It was even more difficult than ripples of water.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.