As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology as I contemplated the past week of rain. 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 13. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I jumped to Abell 34 in Scorpius. It was easy, just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I hunted for NGC 4068. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I hunted NGC 6086 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 2189. It appeared as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 83. It glowed, rather like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I slewed to NGC 2124. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 3569. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 1. It glowed, rather like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I star-hopped to IC 2309 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a dead ringer for a UFO.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.