As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the morality of world hunger as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 61. It shimmered, as if it were the face of God. Then, I found NGC 3778. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 74. It compared favorably with George W. Bush. Then, I checked out IC 2169 in Lyra. It seemed almost a smoke ring. Then, I jumped to NGC 845 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I found IC 594. It appeared to be cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for M 49. It seemed almost cotton candy. Next, I tried B 265. It sparkled like the eye of God.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I looked at Abell 33 in Antlia. It looked a bit like a little triangle.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I jumped to Abell 93 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 83. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 3. It somewhat resembled black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I went for M 77. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed M 68. It was easy, just like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 3374. It seemed almost an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I accidentally located B 275. It compared favorably with the last six objects I'd seen.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.