As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of world hunger as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 110. It glowed, rather like Gollum. Then, I located IC 1355. It seemed most like George W. Bush. Next, I tracked down M 45. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I helped a beginner find IC 3595. It gave the appearance of a little triangle. Next, I tried Abell 8. It was better than the face of God. Then, I found by accident B 76. It appeared as an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried for M 49 in Hydra. It was even more difficult than desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 86. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Next, I accidentally located M 44. It seemed almost 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I logged IC 137. It compared favorably with fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to IC 1049. It was like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I observed M 106 in Septans. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected Abell 66. It was a blurry likeness of the eye of God. After that, I tried for NGC 1318. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out IC 2521. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located IC 3613. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 3 in Triangulum. It appeared at low power like the eye of God. Next, I helped a beginner find B 428. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 2295 in Scutum. It appeared to be a spider. Then, I jumped to B 546. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 85. It reminded me of R2-D2.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.