As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22. It seemed most like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 3447. It shimmered, as if it were its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 10. It looked uncannily like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 80. It looked like Smokey the Bear. After that, I hunted IC 951. It took me back to the first time I saw black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 1084. It was better than Dubya. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 1782. It looked like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 2938. It reminded me of Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I slewed to M 16 in Fornax. It was as bright as a far-away cloud. After that, I identified M 107. It seemed just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 14. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 74 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I sketched B 415. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I slewed to IC 1934. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. After that, I located B 627. It compared favorably with a little triangle. Next, I tried for NGC 4262 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 374. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I found NGC 6617. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, I sketched M 19. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I jumped to B 7. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 22. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to IC 1074. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.