Here is how my evenings are spent observing. I get outside every clear night.
Grab three pairs of binoculars to observe variable stars from 0.1 to 8.0 magnitude; 2x54, 8x42 & 25x100 Binoculars.
Pull out my observation logs and start recording my observations… Alf Ori (Betelgeuse), W Ori, BL Ori, T Mon, Zet Gem, Eps Aur, and others. This is an example of my BL Ori observing log:
This is the log from the Astronomical League observing program on Variable Stars. I’ve been using the same log sheets for 5 years now.
Then on Sundays, sit down at the computer and upload all the observations into the AAVSO Variable Star database.
See this post for more info:
Andrew