As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the higher implications of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 3 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 21. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 367. It was easy, just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I went for Abell 5. It was a dead ringer for Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 90. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I jumped to NGC 6176 in Draco. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 2561. It reminded me of blackness. After that, I hunted for IC 30. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Then, I helped a beginner find M 45. It was even more difficult than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 343 in Virgo. It was better than the eye of God. Then, I hunted NGC 6328. It looked a bit like Miss Piggy. After that, I logged M 70 in Ursa Major. It was as bright as yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 110 in Hydra. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 6138. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. Next, I glimpsed NGC 6919. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I went for Abell 99 in Gemini. It was even more difficult than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 725 in Perseus. It compared favorably with 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 stale peeps.