As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the popularity of TAC as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 3136 in Septans. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted for B 167. It appeared to be an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I slewed to M 72 in Ophiuchus. It was like its Hubble photograph. Then, I looked at Abell 50 in Ursa Minor. It was a dead ringer for spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I slewed to Abell 7. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 9 in Lynx. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 2207 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After that, I tried Abell 96. It was even more difficult than ripples of water. After that, I helped a beginner find B 421. It looked exactly like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I added to my logbook B 211. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 600 in Scorpius. It compared favorably with a nebula.
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 poetry reading marathon.