As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 22 in Sagittarius. It appeared as a far-away cloud. Then, I added to my logbook IC 2936. It looked exactly like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 169. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. After that, I star-hopped to B 351 in Sagittarius. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 1386. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool.
After a short break to have a smoke, I hunted NGC 1655. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Then, I hunted Abell 12. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I observed B 375 in Sagittarius. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 1866. It was better than a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 5601. It was as bright as a little triangle. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 3816. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I identified NGC 2114. It took me back to the first time I saw Demi Moore.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I tried for B 182. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 360 in Sagittarius. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I went for Abell 89. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I jumped to NGC 4175. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I observed B 539. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 38. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. After that, I looked at B 95. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I logged Abell 62 in Perseus. It seemed almost the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 4. It seemed fainter than a UFO. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 2635. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. Then, I helped a beginner find Abell 47. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I checked out Abell 91. It appeared in the eyepiece like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 strapped naked to an anthill.