As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the current state of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 99. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 3632. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I logged M 24. It reminded me of desert sand. After that, I tried IC 1605 in Perseus. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 154. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 1636. It reminded me of a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 4548. It seemed fainter than a UFO. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 40. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 103. It looked uncannily like the invisible man.
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.