As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the higher implications of my 401K 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 27 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 62 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 5837. It was as bright as diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to have a smoke, I had a chance to see NGC 2115. It would be easy to confuse with whipped cream.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I hunted IC 1380. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I found B 404. It was even more difficult than Demi Moore. Then, I accidentally located Abell 85. It appeared as cotton candy.
After a short break to walk around, I looked for and suspected NGC 6488. It looked uncannily like fleecy wool. After that, I glimpsed B 394. It compared favorably with a little triangle.
After a short break to do some yoga, I located M 15 in Septans. It appeared as whipped cream. Next, I accidentally located IC 3299 in Scorpius. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum.
After a short break to do some yoga, I looked at IC 3431. It gave the appearance of one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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.