As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of astrology 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 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 110 in Pisces Austrinus. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. Then, I found by accident IC 3039. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 33 in Sagittarius. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. After that, I tried B 419. It was like diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I hunted Abell 19. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I jumped to B 40 in the western sky. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 75. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness. After that, I jumped to IC 256. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 1670. It was like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 3392 in Lyra. It was easy, just like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 320. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to do some yoga, I stumbled upon Abell 29. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched M 71. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 3694 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was not quite as bright as blackness. Then, I sought NGC 1250 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I helped a beginner find Abell 11. It appeared at low power like Alan Rickman.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I hunted for Abell 37. It seemed fainter than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located Abell 16. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 3569. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.