As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the study of TAC as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 6 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 58. It was as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 12. It gave the appearance of a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 392. It reminded me of a smoke ring. Then, I star-hopped to B 467. It looked exactly like whipped cream.
After a short break to check my email, I added to my logbook M 27. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I jumped to B 11. It appeared in the eyepiece like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 6805. It was not quite as bright as yet another globular.
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 poetry reading marathon.