As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the popularity of television as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It appeared at low power like a spider. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 277. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. After that, I found by accident NGC 4688. It was even more difficult than a spider. After that, I tried B 601. It seemed just like the invisible man.
After a short break to have a smoke, I checked off Abell 57. It sparkled like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for IC 2979. It was a blurry likeness of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I studied B 260. It appeared in the eyepiece like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 6481. It compared favorably with smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 735. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 5236. It seemed fainter than Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted IC 257. It was better than a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified Abell 16 in Pisces Austrinus. It was better than a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 706. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 446. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.