As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the morality of Dilbert as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It appeared as cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 2234 in Antlia. It was easy, just like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 511 in Sagittarius. It seemed most like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 1728 in Canes Venatici. It looked like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 2371. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for NGC 5769. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. Then, I accidentally located M 2 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It compared favorably with the eye of God.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I sketched M 75 in Orion. It was even more difficult than cotton candy. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 3692 in Scorpius. It seemed most like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 85. It appeared at low power like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 1397 in Draco. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 460 in Fornax. It seemed most like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 280 in Lepus. It was a dead ringer for a UFO.
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 cleaning the bathroom.