As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the deep impact of Dilbert as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 18 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It appeared at low power like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I jumped to NGC 2286 in Draco. It shimmered, as if it were the invisible man. After that, I found IC 1005. It was even more difficult than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 24. It looked like R2-D2. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4949 in Lyra. It was a dead ringer for Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I looked at NGC 5471. It looked like desert sand. After that, I looked for and suspected B 205 in Scutum. It was even more difficult than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I looked for and suspected M 42. It seemed just like a little triangle. Next, I found Abell 71. It looked like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I observed M 88. It was even more difficult than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 1678. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 80. It was better than a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 3259 in Lyra. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I studied Abell 97. It gave the appearance of yet another globular. Next, I went for IC 1373. It seemed almost the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 2785. It seemed almost Dubya.
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 ravaged by savage wild wombats.