As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the current state of world hunger as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 15. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 8. It seemed fainter than a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 628. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 1407. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 1610. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. Then, I checked off Abell 79. It was as bright as cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 3315 in Cygnus. It looked like a swarm of bees. After that, I star-hopped to M 63. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 2615. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I stumbled upon NGC 1308 in Lyra. It appeared at low power like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 198. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 11. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 6. It appeared at low power like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 219. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 3128. It seemed most like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to check my email, I jumped to NGC 1393. It appeared to be 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 3085. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found B 245. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.