As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Dilbert as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 52 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 86 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It glowed, rather like cotton candy. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 114. It appeared in the eyepiece like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 52. It appeared to be blackness. Then, I star-hopped to IC 662. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Next, I looked at B 487. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting. Next, I tried for IC 405. It compared favorably with a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed Abell 29 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I located M 35. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. After that, I glimpsed M 69. It was a dead ringer for a cantilever bra.
After a short break to walk around, I found B 545. It seemed just like the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 14. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 748 in Camelopardalis. It compared favorably with Demi Moore. Next, I showed some guests M 14. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out NGC 3630 in Ophiuchus. It was even more difficult than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 532. It was easy, just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I checked out IC 921 in Lyra. It appeared as yet another globular.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I stumbled upon B 481. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush. Then, I jumped to Abell 93. It was as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I identified B 95. It was as bright as an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I found by accident B 471. It would be easy to confuse with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 40. It reminded me of a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 55 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked a bit like a whale spouting. Next, I identified B 133. It seemed fainter than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 54. It was easy, just like fleecy wool.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.