As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of television as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 96. It was even more difficult than a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 107. It was a dead ringer for all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to walk around, I showed some guests NGC 4111. It shimmered, as if it were George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 3512 in Scutum. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 6191. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. After that, I checked out Abell 66 in Orion. It was better than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 3230. It looked like cotton candy. Next, I stumbled upon M 24. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. Next, I located NGC 4014. It looked exactly like desert sand.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I checked off M 53. It appeared to be the invisible man. After that, I studied Abell 53. It took me back to the first time I saw the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found B 322. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 49. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 1877. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.