As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. 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 sparkled like ripples of water. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 6990. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Then, I observed M 63. It glowed, rather like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I logged M 25 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 36. It appeared to be Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 916 in Hydra. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to chat, I looked at M 13. It was better than cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to M 66 in Cygnus. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I tried for NGC 884 in Orion. It appeared at low power like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.