As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 5 in Virgo. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to walk around, I tried Abell 98 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 11 in Corvus. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. Next, I accidentally located IC 2995. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. Next, I checked off B 375. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I sought B 87. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 90. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 3975. It looked exactly like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for IC 2410 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted NGC 234. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 84 in Orion. It was like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 1302 in Lepus. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Next, I accidentally located NGC 3195. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought M 19 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 102. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 38 in Antlia. It appeared as a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 73. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6846 in Ursa Minor. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 3461 in Cygnus. It seemed almost lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 94. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I accidentally located Abell 37. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I helped a beginner find B 613. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I went for M 36 in Sculptor. It appeared as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I showed some guests Abell 44. It looked a bit like 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 phone sex.