As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current implications of tight underwear as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19 in the western sky. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I studied NGC 1259. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sketched IC 2332 in Scorpius. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 48. It was as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I added to my logbook M 84 in Gemini. It looked like a nebula. After that, I hunted for IC 3574 in Hydra. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 71 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared at low power like ripples of water.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I located B 22. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I jumped to Abell 10. It was better than yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried NGC 664 in Ursa Minor. It seemed fainter than Demi Moore. Then, I checked out B 70. It reminded me of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located M 16. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I slewed to B 14. It looked uncannily like a nebula. Then, I helped a beginner find B 120. It looked exactly like fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for Abell 40. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 50. It shimmered, as if it were a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.