As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Norse mythology as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 95. It was better than Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 511. It was easy, just like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I slewed to B 258. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 1514. It gave the appearance of blackness.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I tried for NGC 1216. It appeared to be cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 287. It was a blurry likeness of its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 184. It would be easy to confuse with a spider.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.