As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of my 401K 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 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 20. It was as bright as Smokey the Bear. Then, I logged Abell 2. It was a dead ringer for lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 732. It sparkled like the eye of God. Then, I checked out B 606. It looked uncannily like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 926. It seemed fainter than Gollum.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I helped a beginner find M 106. It sparkled like a waterfall. Next, I showed some guests B 33 in Triangulum. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I located NGC 6689 in the western sky. It seemed fainter than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 2742. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted for NGC 6809. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 3774 in the western sky. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 25 in Gemini. It appeared in the eyepiece like Alan Rickman. After that, I showed some guests M 47. It was as bright as yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 3850. It appeared as Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to M 32 in Triangulum. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 201. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 15. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I had a chance to see B 75 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw the invisible man.
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 hunting with the Vice President.