As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the inner workings of astrology 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 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It was as bright as Demi Moore. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 27. It was a blurry likeness of a swarm of bees. Then, I helped a beginner find M 25. It looked like a spider. Then, I looked at Abell 42. It looked like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see Abell 33. It was even more difficult than yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 330 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I showed some guests Abell 38 in Ophiuchus. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed NGC 3906. It looked a bit like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 376. It was a dead ringer for George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 3562. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 78. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. After that, I tracked down M 76. It was as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I tracked down IC 3676. It was better than Miss Piggy.
After a short break to chat, I studied IC 2437. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 153. It appeared in the eyepiece like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I hunted B 408 in Virgo. It glowed, rather like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 36. It compared favorably with desert sand.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.