As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 104. It appeared at low power like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 22 in Scutum. It was better than desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 27 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I nudged my telescope to M 50. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. Next, I tried IC 1274. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I tried for M 81 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 356 in the western sky. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I star-hopped to B 250. It reminded me of the face of God. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 2365 in Ursa Major. It compared favorably with lumpy darkness.
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 phone sex.