As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the current state of AP Refractors as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. 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 88. It somewhat resembled a UFO.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I nudged my telescope to IC 3877 in Antlia. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 3360. It looked like R2-D2. Next, I found IC 1551 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed almost R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 3212. It looked a bit like Demi Moore. Then, I star-hopped to M 50. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 3023. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. Then, I star-hopped to IC 1187. It appeared as diamonds on black velvet.
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.