As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It was like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 500. It looked uncannily like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 154. It seemed just like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 81. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I tried for B 151. It reminded me of Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied M 39. It seemed almost the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I looked for and suspected M 82. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I glimpsed Abell 26. It seemed almost fleecy wool. After that, I looked at M 91. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 5249 in Hydra. It appeared to be dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 5318. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I went for IC 2135. It seemed just like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I found by accident B 173. It was like Santa Claus.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I had a chance to see B 632. It was better than a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to M 91. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 377 in Triangulum. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident NGC 2706. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I stumbled upon B 618 in Canis Major. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 453. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for Abell 53. It appeared to be cotton candy. After that, I observed Abell 29. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
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 a hot poker rammed up your nose.