As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the morality 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 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 42. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2520. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I tried for NGC 612 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 30. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I located NGC 4818. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 59. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I identified Abell 87. It was a blurry likeness of Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 348. It looked a bit like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 43 in Ophiuchus. It looked a bit like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 79. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 3732. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. Next, I tried for IC 2576. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I accidentally located Abell 83. It was a dead ringer for Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 1608. It seemed just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 473 in Camelopardalis. It appeared at low power like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I observed M 96 in that confusing part of Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were fleecy wool. After that, I had a chance to see B 563. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I helped a beginner find B 85. It glowed, rather like dancing elephants.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I checked off NGC 5845. It was not quite as bright as yet another globular.
After a short break to walk around, I located Abell 64. It appeared at low power like a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 59 in Scutum. It seemed just like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests Abell 8. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush.
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 cleaning the bathroom.