As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the internet 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 15 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 103. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I went for B 360. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 93. It appeared at low power like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 46. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 5881. It was as bright as a spider.
After a short break to do some yoga, I tracked down Abell 87. It was better than its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 2. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 244. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I tried for IC 872. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. After that, I logged NGC 5922 in the western sky. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 368. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 5603. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I identified B 76 in Septans. It appeared at low power like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 3826. It looked exactly like the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 4538 in the western sky. It was even more difficult than a nebula. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 5668. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I observed Abell 91. It looked uncannily like George W. Bush. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 48. It seemed most like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 88 in Canis Major. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra.
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 stale peeps.