As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current implications of my life's work as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It was even more difficult than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I helped a beginner find M 3. It compared favorably with nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I nudged my telescope to B 513. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 2. It was as bright as lumpy darkness. After that, I logged NGC 745. It appeared to be Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located IC 3649. It appeared at low power like Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 34. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Next, I nudged my telescope to B 227. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 92. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I looked for and suspected M 9. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. Next, I stumbled upon B 405 in Draco. It looked exactly like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.