As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the higher implications of my life's work 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 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 51. It was a dead ringer for an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I went for Abell 45. It was a blurry likeness of the invisible man. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2898. It was better than whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found Abell 40 in Scorpius. It was like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 87. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I hunted for IC 1350. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I identified B 412. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 15. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 11. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 566. It was like cotton candy. Next, I tracked down B 307. It looked exactly like ripples of water. Next, I located B 509. It was a dead ringer for a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I looked at Abell 47. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear. Next, I showed some guests IC 2451. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. Then, I star-hopped to M 56. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I studied Abell 64. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. Next, I hunted NGC 2801. It looked exactly like blackness. After that, I went for B 25 in Camelopardalis. It glowed, rather like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 757. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 810. It appeared to be dancing elephants. Then, I tracked down Abell 97. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 86. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I studied B 336. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I observed Abell 65. It was as bright as R2-D2.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.