As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of tight underwear as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tracked down M 96. It gave the appearance of ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 2684. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I went for NGC 5633. It seemed most like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed IC 2991. It took me back to the first time I saw that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 69. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 2129. It sparkled like George W. Bush.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I looked at NGC 1575. It was a dead ringer for Miss Piggy. Next, I hunted M 104. It compared favorably with desert sand. With that checked off my list, I went for Abell 99. It seemed almost dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 85 in Canis Major. It seemed almost a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 644. It looked like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 91 in Scutum. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 63. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. Next, I stumbled upon IC 3941. It sparkled like a smoke ring. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 5754 in Fornax. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. Next, I identified NGC 324. It glowed, rather like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to IC 65 in Sagittarius. It seemed most like dancing elephants. After that, I logged IC 1651. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I hunted M 25 in Gemini. It seemed just like Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 35. It looked a bit like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.