As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the human spirit as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 10. It was a blurry likeness of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I tried Abell 76 in Draco. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya. Then, I went for Abell 27. It was even more difficult than the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find Abell 12 in Septans. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out NGC 5729. It sparkled like a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 223 in Draco. It was not quite as bright as blackness. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 2259 in Pisces Austrinus. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I went for M 78 in Canis Major. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 13. It was a blurry likeness of the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 2163 in Canis Major. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 3608. It seemed fainter than blackness. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook M 17 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I star-hopped to B 58. It looked a bit like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 6035. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I logged M 72. It appeared as the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 4067. It looked like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 2954. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I looked for and suspected IC 1663. It was a blurry likeness of 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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.