As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the insignificance of world hunger as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19. It would be easy to confuse with an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I logged M 64. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I tried NGC 2255. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched IC 3099. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for Abell 50 in Corvus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 124. It looked uncannily like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I sought B 478. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 19 in Cygnus. It seemed most like a UFO. Next, I glimpsed M 106. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 59. It looked like the eye of God. After that, I had a chance to see M 73 in Scorpius. It looked a bit like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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 a poetry reading marathon.