As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the higher implications of my life's work 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I studied IC 1903 in Virgo. It seemed fainter than Alan Rickman. After that, I jumped to NGC 484. It looked a bit like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I hunted B 332 in Corvus. It was better than ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I went for M 20 in Corvus. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. Next, I went for NGC 5522 in Ursa Major. It was as bright as a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see B 67. It reminded me of Alan Rickman.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I helped a beginner find NGC 914. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tracked down Abell 44 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I added to my logbook IC 2047 in Triangulum. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 530. It looked uncannily like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I hunted for B 363 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 6205 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked uncannily like a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 89. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 3491. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I identified IC 171 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like fleecy wool. After that, I star-hopped to B 432. It was better than a spitting cobra. Then, I observed NGC 5404. It appeared at low power like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 1458 in Perseus. It sparkled like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 17 in Sculptor. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 46. It was better than dandruff on black satin pajamas.
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 cleaning the bathroom.