As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the study of the internet 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 11. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I tried B 283. It seemed almost Gollum. Then, I showed some guests Abell 63. It was as bright as a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 90. It glowed, rather like ripples of water.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I star-hopped to Abell 91. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I located M 62 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 122. It sparkled like a smoke ring. After that, I studied B 485 in Canes Venatici. It looked a bit like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 5405. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I sketched NGC 3292. It seemed most like blackness. Then, I hunted for NGC 2914. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I tried IC 1740 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 2597 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 53. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God. Then, I checked off Abell 18. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 10. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I slewed to IC 534 in Orion. It seemed almost a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected M 92 in Draco. It shimmered, as if it were fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 347. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. Then, I accidentally located Abell 93 in Camelopardalis. It was a dead ringer for 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 a root canal.