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 Doonsbury as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 27 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 96. It took me back to the first time I saw the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 502 in Triangulum. It appeared in the eyepiece like a waterfall. Next, I studied Abell 4. It seemed almost a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 576 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon B 34. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 55. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 393. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 1485 in Hydra. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 24 in Scutum. It glowed, rather like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 1982. It appeared to be cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to B 278. It looked exactly like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 2211. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear.
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.