As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the insignificance of underwater basket weaving 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 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 13 in Antlia. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 340. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I added to my logbook IC 1566. It appeared as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 79 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like George W. Bush. Then, I went for IC 2616. It appeared as its Hubble photograph. Next, I slewed to NGC 629 in Cygnus. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 6733. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I logged M 91. It took me back to the first time I saw yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 39 in Canis Major. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 3956. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 71. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 496. It was better than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for B 300 in Scutum. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 500 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 1367 in the western sky. It reminded me of a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 38 in Septans. It looked a bit like a spider. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 5525. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 503. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 28 in the western sky. It appeared as diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 1603. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 3278. It reminded me of diamonds on black 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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.