As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the current implications of the energy crisis 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 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It somewhat resembled cotton candy. Next, I found by accident M 65. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. After that, I tracked down NGC 5848 in Draco. It glowed, rather like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 82. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. After that, I found by accident IC 2205. It looked like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 3830. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 887. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I stumbled upon IC 949. It would be easy to confuse with desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 8. It was not quite as bright as a far-away cloud. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 188. It looked exactly like 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 a State of the Union address.