As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the universe as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105. It was like yet another globular. Then, I tried for B 428. It seemed almost a UFO. After that, I sought B 561. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. Then, I tried NGC 4897. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 71 in Perseus. It was easy, just like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests IC 3618 in Scutum. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 649. It appeared as R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 26. It appeared in the eyepiece like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 1823. It was like the invisible man. Next, I observed M 110. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 5707. It was not quite as bright as the eternal nothingness of being.
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.