As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the study of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79 in Virgo. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 609. It sparkled like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 5321. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 672 in Orion. It seemed almost the invisible man. After that, I added to my logbook IC 1671. It appeared to be the invisible man. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 98. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. After that, I found by accident B 162. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 2228. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 81 in Ursa Major. It appeared at low power like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 40. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 6517. It looked a bit like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I identified IC 3573. It appeared at low power like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 61 in Sagittarius. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 519. It took me back to the first time I saw the pillars of creation. After that, I checked off NGC 2446 in Cygnus. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I jumped to Abell 79. It was better than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I added to my logbook IC 245. It looked like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 96. It appeared at low power like a waterfall. Then, I showed some guests M 103. It was not quite as bright as the face of God. After that, I helped a beginner find NGC 5307 in Orion. It was better than the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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.