As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the popularity of chaos theory 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 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 8. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I logged B 66. It somewhat resembled the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I identified Abell 30 in Ursa Major. It appeared to be a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 67 in Corvus. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton on velvet. After that, I located IC 3710. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located Abell 43. It appeared in the eyepiece like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 199. It sparkled like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 2421. It shimmered, as if it were the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 110. It sparkled like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 2958. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 3956. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 105. It appeared as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 45. It seemed just like Santa Claus.
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.