As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep impact of TAC as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. Next, I found by accident NGC 1844. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 32 in Sculptor. It appeared as Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 78. It was better than a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 12. It appeared to be Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 5080. It appeared in the eyepiece like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I jumped to Abell 36. It was a blurry likeness of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 92. It was a blurry likeness of the invisible man. Then, I tried for M 1. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 30. It somewhat resembled dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I identified Abell 63. It was like a nebula. After that, I sought IC 1097. It was as bright as a swarm of bees.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I located NGC 1503 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed B 87. It was better than the invisible man.
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.