As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the study of chaos theory as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 88. It appeared in the eyepiece like dancing elephants. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 75. It took me back to the first time I saw that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 13 in Perseus. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to walk around, I stumbled upon NGC 3874. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, I accidentally located M 64 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 54. It appeared to be Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 374. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 3993. It gave the appearance of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 1542. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 51. It was like a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 345 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked a bit like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I found by accident B 552 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 1137. It looked like spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 phone sex.