As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the current implications of Dilbert 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 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 7. It looked like a spider.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tried NGC 6732 in Sagittarius. It compared favorably with dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I checked off IC 2474 in Ophiuchus. It glowed, rather like a swarm of bees.
After a short break to have a smoke, I looked at NGC 6669. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I tracked down IC 1372. It sparkled like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 612 in Hydra. It was easy, just like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off M 20. It appeared to be Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 1889 in Sagittarius. It compared favorably with R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 6873 in Triangulum. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 75. It was easy, just like a cantilever bra. Next, I checked off NGC 810. It would be easy to confuse with the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 1901. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to chat, I observed Abell 64. It glowed, rather like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 162 in Orion. It was like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 40. It was easy, just like a smoke ring. Next, I located B 218 in Ursa Major. It compared favorably with cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 72 in Cygnus. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.