As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the inner workings of world hunger as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 7. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 449. It gave the appearance of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I logged NGC 1336 in Canis Major. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 972 in Lyra. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 75. It was like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 606. It appeared in the eyepiece like a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 399. It seemed fainter than a waterfall. Then, I tried for NGC 2708. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I glimpsed Abell 27. It looked uncannily like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2985. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 1796 in Cygnus. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 2622. It looked exactly like a UFO. Then, I identified M 20 in Corvus. It looked a bit like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 3538. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 356. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.