As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of economic theory 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 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 20 in Gemini. It seemed just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I hunted Abell 19. It reminded me of Demi Moore. Next, I sought Abell 1. It was easy, just like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 155. It looked like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 57. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 6388. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2798 in Ursa Minor. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I located Abell 3. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 109 in Gemini. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 97. It was better than nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I tried M 84 in Sagittarius. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I identified B 418. It was easy, just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I looked for and suspected B 174. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 52. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 226 in Scutum. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. Then, I went for B 629 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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 hunting with the Vice President.