As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 38 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 3595. It was as bright as a waterfall.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found by accident Abell 44. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 33 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3404 in Fornax. It compared favorably with Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted Abell 62 in Scorpius. It seemed almost a waterfall. Then, I jumped to Abell 55 in Camelopardalis. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to B 347. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I had a chance to see B 63. It somewhat resembled 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I added to my logbook M 75 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like Santa Claus. Then, I observed M 46 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied NGC 4605 in Lynx. It was better than cotton on velvet. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 2809. It was even more difficult than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 6603. It seemed almost blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 102. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I logged M 55 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared at low power like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I found by accident Abell 11. It was even more difficult than Gollum. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 328. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 2086 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.