As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the insignificance of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It was better than the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 61. It was better than the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 30. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 70. It looked uncannily like a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried for NGC 2614. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. After that, I checked off NGC 5580. It seemed fainter than a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 99. It looked exactly like a spider. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed Abell 65. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down IC 2862. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I sketched IC 589. It looked uncannily like yet another globular.
After a short break to walk around, I hunted Abell 61. It gave the appearance of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I accidentally located B 472 in Lynx. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 1828. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 3574 in Hydra. It looked like blackness. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 89 in Antlia. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 1152. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I had a chance to see B 192 in Camelopardalis. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 3516. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.