As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the study of world hunger as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 78. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 528. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 25. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 71. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I located M 97. It would be easy to confuse with a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 24. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. Next, I glimpsed NGC 4370 in Canis Major. It was easy, just like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 72. It was easy, just like lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 1792 in Lynx. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 91. It was better than dancing elephants.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I sketched M 106 in the western sky. It looked a bit like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I went for Abell 67. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 3517. It was as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 18. It reminded me of Gollum. After that, I identified IC 2745. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I tried IC 587 in Gemini. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I had a chance to see B 577. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down M 108. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. After that, I located NGC 4580. It was not quite as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 night out under the stars with people you hate.