As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of TAC as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 11 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 64 in Scutum. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 78. It seemed almost Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I tracked down NGC 2013 in Triangulum. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 5420 in Perseus. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1534. It was better than a spider. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 1. It sparkled like a smoke ring. Next, I nudged my telescope to Abell 44 in Triangulum. It reminded me of Gollum. With that checked off my list, I observed B 342 in Virgo. It was like a little triangle. Then, I logged B 355 in Canis Major. It reminded me of Santa Claus.
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 spending the evening reading blogs.