As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the morality of Plato's Republic 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 52 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 4. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. After that, I sketched NGC 3230 in Canis Major. It compared favorably with a cantilever bra. Then, I hunted for Abell 72. It was better than cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 67. It was a blurry likeness of Dubya.
After a short break to do some yoga, I went for B 549 in Lyra. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected Abell 75. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to have a smoke, I found M 53 in Gemini. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 4. It appeared as Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 17. It gave the appearance of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 579 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 13 in Corvus. It compared favorably with a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I identified M 9. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO. Next, I jumped to IC 331. It appeared to be a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 7 in Canes Venatici. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I tried for M 53. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. After that, I sought IC 3162 in Lynx. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 608 in Fornax. It looked exactly like its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found NGC 6869. It was easy, just like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 14. It was even more difficult than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 28. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 67. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Then, I hunted for B 446. It took me back to the first time I saw spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook Abell 46. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I identified NGC 1377. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 State of the Union address.