As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the morality of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 2 in Hydra. It appeared in the eyepiece like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 6955. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. Next, I slewed to Abell 98 in Lyra. It looked a bit like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 648. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. After that, I logged B 220 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It sparkled like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 4962 in Canes Venatici. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 536. It sparkled like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 21 in Camelopardalis. It was easy, just like a spider. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 87. It seemed fainter than ripples of water. After that, I logged IC 2019 in Antlia. It was easy, just like lumpy darkness. Next, I checked out B 125. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I logged M 60 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 2752. It looked exactly like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 1740. It looked like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 5682 in Fornax. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.