As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the study of television 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39 in Corvus. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 78. It somewhat resembled a waterfall. Then, I sketched B 139. It looked like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I logged B 202. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I located IC 1455. It looked uncannily like dancing elephants. After that, I sought B 137 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 50. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I added to my logbook Abell 77 in Canes Venatici. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I tried M 46. It looked uncannily like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 85. It was not quite as bright as a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 6271. It was as bright as a spitting cobra.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.