As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the current state of television as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 71. It was even more difficult than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 4168. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After that, I glimpsed IC 3069. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I glimpsed B 82 in Perseus. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I nudged my telescope to NGC 3180 in Scutum. It looked uncannily like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 76 in Lynx. It looked uncannily like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 1328. It appeared in the eyepiece like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I sought Abell 39 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 1496 in Lepus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. After that, I tried for NGC 4529. It was not quite as bright as the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 48. It compared favorably with Demi Moore. Next, I located NGC 6901. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I checked out Abell 84. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 1744. It reminded me of whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 695. It appeared to be ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 2844 in Draco. It seemed almost cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 102 in Antlia. It appeared as the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted M 25. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring.
After a short break to chat, I sought Abell 47. It shimmered, as if it were Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 44. It reminded me of a nebula. Next, I went for B 37 in Antlia. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected B 160. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 40 in Lynx. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 8. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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 poetry reading marathon.