As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the insignificance of the energy crisis 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 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 97. It was easy, just like a nebula. Then, I found IC 2217. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 109 in Sculptor. It was like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 11. It sparkled like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 1974. It took me back to the first time I saw a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 11 in Hydra. It appeared as lumpy darkness.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.