As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the internet as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105 in Draco. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 545. It looked like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 365. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to have a smoke, I tracked down B 95 in Ursa Minor. It was easy, just like R2-D2. Then, I identified Abell 72 in Triangulum. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. After that, I logged IC 3979. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I accidentally located NGC 56 in Orion. It appeared as R2-D2. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 5. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 3438 in Draco. It seemed just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 4381. It appeared as ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 71. It somewhat resembled a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 2561. It somewhat resembled whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 1358 in Serpens. It was better than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 5. It looked a bit like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 2708. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found IC 2854. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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.