As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the insignificance of world hunger 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 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It was better than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 1 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 1 in Scorpius. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 58 in Canes Venatici. It seemed fainter than desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 581. It looked like a waterfall. Then, I sketched Abell 90. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I sought NGC 4834. It seemed most like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 3101. It took me back to the first time I saw a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 141. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted M 95. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 54. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified Abell 26. It looked exactly like spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.