As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of economic theory as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 6728. It was as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I stumbled upon IC 389 in the western sky. It was better than a spider. Next, I slewed to M 78. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I sought B 351 in Perseus. It seemed almost Santa Claus.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I added to my logbook B 404. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. After that, I identified NGC 3995. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. Next, I glimpsed IC 3925. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. Next, I logged NGC 2370 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 5478. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I sketched NGC 5290. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 33. It was easy, just like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified B 287. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 3346 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 99. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. Next, I sought NGC 6119 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I identified M 104 in Canes Venatici. It was a blurry likeness of ripples of water.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).