As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the current state of the energy crisis as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 84. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 1643. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman. Then, I glimpsed B 598 in Lyra. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 1830 in Corvus. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found B 1. It was even more difficult than a far-away cloud. Then, I slewed to IC 2526. It was as bright as desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 110. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I hunted M 23. It appeared to be diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 4519. It glowed, rather like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I sought NGC 5905 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like its Hubble photograph. Then, I logged B 444 in Scorpius. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 26. It seemed fainter than the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 15 in Triangulum. It was even more difficult than the face of God. Next, I found by accident Abell 58. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 136. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 24. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I located M 51 in Scorpius. It looked like lumpy darkness. Then, I checked out B 53. It was easy, just like a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.