As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of television as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 87. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 429. It looked a bit like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I helped a beginner find M 40 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged B 33. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I had a chance to see IC 2578 in Scorpius. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 11. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I studied Abell 90. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I nudged my telescope to IC 1846 in Ursa Minor. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 94 in Scutum. It appeared at low power like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 2892. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. Then, I observed M 22. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I sought B 242 in Orion. It took me back to the first time I saw dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to NGC 3301 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.