As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the study of economic theory as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It seemed almost a waterfall. Then, I jumped to M 95. It seemed almost all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to chat, I showed some guests B 114. It somewhat resembled Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 27. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 3662. It was easy, just like yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 69. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located M 99. It glowed, rather like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 2750. It sparkled like blackness. With that checked off my list, I logged B 282. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. Then, I went for NGC 3355. It looked uncannily like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon Abell 74. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 13 in Antlia. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 2883. It somewhat resembled R2-D2. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 45. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I checked off Abell 59 in Orion. It glowed, rather like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I observed Abell 81. It seemed almost Gollum. Then, I tried for IC 2693 in the western sky. It reminded me of Dubya.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I found by accident IC 1578. It seemed most like blackness. Next, I had a chance to see IC 1217 in Antlia. It looked a bit like Demi Moore. Next, I hunted for NGC 2923. It looked exactly like blackness.
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.