As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It was a blurry likeness of Demi Moore.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I observed IC 1761 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 82 in Lepus. It was as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I looked for and suspected Abell 83. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I star-hopped to B 385. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 5259. It looked uncannily like a UFO. Next, I sketched NGC 1609. It reminded me of Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 60. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I sketched B 441. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I logged Abell 57. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 3615. It seemed most like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I sought M 61 in Septans. It was as bright as a nebula.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I accidentally located IC 2334. It was not quite as bright as Alan Rickman. Next, I observed M 95. It seemed just like lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 34. It appeared to be Demi Moore. Next, I sketched NGC 1118. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation. Next, I checked off B 268 in Draco. It appeared as fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 2 in Sculptor. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find Abell 98. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied B 330. It seemed most like Miss Piggy.
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 spending the evening reading blogs.