As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Plato's Republic 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 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 11. It gave the appearance of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 6841. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. Next, I checked off NGC 2030. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. After that, I looked at Abell 69. It glowed, rather like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 5358. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 1627. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. After that, I located IC 2717 in Lynx. It was like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 5762 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I showed some guests IC 162. It reminded me of a smoke ring. Then, I slewed to Abell 7. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 5598. It seemed just like a spitting cobra.
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 hunting with the Vice President.