As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the deep impact 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 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was like a nebula.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I slewed to Abell 46 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared as a whale spouting. After that, I hunted NGC 6999 in Ophiuchus. It sparkled like a cantilever bra.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I added to my logbook B 7. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 5432. It looked a bit like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 8. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 84 in Triangulum. It looked like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I observed B 316. It seemed almost Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 245. It seemed fainter than Dubya.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I tried IC 2114. It appeared at low power like a spider. Then, I stumbled upon M 91 in Sagittarius. It looked like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I sought Abell 75 in Scorpius. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I logged B 418. It looked exactly like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 556. It seemed almost a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 396. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy.
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 stale peeps.