As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the inner workings of astrology as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 89. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 101. It looked exactly like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 1008 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. Then, I studied IC 1387. It would be easy to confuse with a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for IC 1730 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 2. It was a blurry likeness of the eye of God. Next, I accidentally located NGC 4710 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I identified M 48. It seemed almost an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I located B 26. It was not quite as bright as the invisible man. Then, I glimpsed NGC 5361 in Cygnus. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I accidentally located NGC 5521. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected Abell 66. It reminded me of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 4 in Sagittarius. It shimmered, as if it were 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 a State of the Union address.