As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the study of TAC 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 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It seemed almost fleecy wool. Next, I checked off IC 1517 in Cygnus. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. After that, I accidentally located B 380. It was a dead ringer for blackness.
After a short break to have a smoke, I tried NGC 6095. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I jumped to NGC 3305. It seemed fainter than Demi Moore. Next, I tried for Abell 1. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I located B 8. It was a blurry likeness of a waterfall. Then, I star-hopped to B 189. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 30 in Sculptor. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied Abell 21 in Lynx. It was like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 1826. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 observing reports.