As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 26. It reminded me of the invisible man.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tried for M 83. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 85. It seemed just like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 28. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 13. It would be easy to confuse with lumpy darkness.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I located M 98. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 127. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 532 in Serpens. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I jumped to Abell 36. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I jumped to NGC 2483. It was better than the pillars of creation. Next, I checked out Abell 50. It was a blurry likeness of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I located M 33 in Perseus. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 333. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus.
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 hunting with the Vice President.