As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of television as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 5101. It seemed most like a UFO. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 5290. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 6997. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 6. It reminded me of blackness. After that, I tried M 82. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I sketched B 359. It sparkled like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I found M 7. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I went for M 33. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 81. It was even more difficult than dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I showed some guests B 107. It compared favorably with fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 1843. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 62 in Cygnus. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 2419. It was even more difficult than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I identified NGC 1551. It compared favorably with the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I sought Abell 99 in Perseus. It looked exactly like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 284. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 76. It seemed just like a waterfall.
After a short break to have a smoke, I sought IC 3480 in the western sky. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 114 in Fornax. It was a dead ringer for two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 401. It was not quite as bright as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I tracked down NGC 2027. It glowed, rather like a smoke ring. Then, I tried NGC 6678. It seemed fainter than nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I logged B 235. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.