As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of TAC as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 27 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75. It appeared in the eyepiece like Alan Rickman. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 82. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 722. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 4209. It took me back to the first time I saw a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 1706. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. Next, I hunted for M 48. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees.
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.