As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 3 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 100. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I nudged my telescope to Abell 23. It glowed, rather like yet another globular. Then, I logged NGC 6467. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 628. It was like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to M 108. It appeared to be blackness.
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.