As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the current implications of the internet as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 45. It looked exactly like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 14. It appeared at low power like blackness. Next, I found NGC 4440 in Camelopardalis. It compared favorably with Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook B 598 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I identified Abell 28. It looked like Smokey the Bear. After that, I hunted for NGC 2797. It was a dead ringer for dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook Abell 87 in Scutum. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness.
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 a State of the Union address.