As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the insignificance of underwater basket weaving 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 14 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 18. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 528 in Ophiuchus. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 54. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I found by accident M 87. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 6050. It was even more difficult than a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 528. It was easy, just like a far-away cloud.
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.