As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 89. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 500. It sparkled like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for Abell 21. It seemed most like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 1563. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 85 in Virgo. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I sketched Abell 43. It was better than a far-away cloud.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I sought B 36. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I found M 40 in Septans. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for NGC 3048. It would be easy to confuse with a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I observed B 198. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 3795. It appeared at low power like fleecy wool. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 34 in Gemini. It reminded me of R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 596. It was as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 86 in Fornax. It seemed almost the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 95 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I showed some guests M 6. It shimmered, as if it were cotton on velvet. After that, I studied Abell 33 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a blurry likeness of Miss Piggy. Next, I jumped to Abell 58. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 17. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 6. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 426. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.