As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the deep impact of world hunger 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 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 73 in Triangulum. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I logged B 120 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. Then, I checked off IC 3294. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted Abell 86. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum. After that, I located Abell 72 in Sculptor. It seemed just like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 584 in Fornax. It appeared to be the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 1616. It would be easy to confuse with the face of God. After that, I showed some guests NGC 1837. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman. After that, I tried for NGC 805 in Cygnus. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. After that, I stumbled upon IC 620. It was like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5056 in Serpens. It looked like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 149. It shimmered, as if it were a spider.
After a short break to have a smoke, I observed M 31. It was as bright as a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 30. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I stumbled upon Abell 13 in Serpens. It was not quite as bright as a little triangle.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.