As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the current implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25. It compared favorably with the pillars of creation. After that, I helped a beginner find B 444. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 5876. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I jumped to IC 3530. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum. Next, I logged IC 2601. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected B 148. It appeared in the eyepiece like Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 15. It was a blurry likeness of blackness. After that, I identified IC 1515. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 2440. It seemed just like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 976. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I identified NGC 1253. It looked uncannily like a swarm of bees. Next, I located Abell 39. It looked a bit like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests Abell 80. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I added to my logbook B 647. It compared favorably with the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified NGC 2301 in Lepus. It somewhat resembled one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 5551. It appeared as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 41. It looked exactly like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 20. It appeared as Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched M 1 in Ophiuchus. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.