As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the current state of the energy crisis as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 9 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared as a swarm of bees. Then, I nudged my telescope to IC 554. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down M 1. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 38. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I tracked down B 89. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find Abell 51. It appeared to be cotton candy.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sketched NGC 547. It took me back to the first time I saw dancing elephants. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 1187. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I tried NGC 2349. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After that, I added to my logbook IC 2290. It seemed just like a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 544 in Antlia. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. After that, I showed some guests M 11 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed fainter than cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 295. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I tried for IC 2127. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 3. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I went for M 14. It compared favorably with Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 433 in Antlia. It was a dead ringer for a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I sketched Abell 72 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.