As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 33 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 1856 in the western sky. It was better than a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 2292. It was easy, just like Alan Rickman. Next, I hunted Abell 81. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see M 3. It appeared as the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 179 in Hydra. It shimmered, as if it were that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 466. It sparkled like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I glimpsed B 24. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I accidentally located B 43. It looked exactly like Alan Rickman. Next, I hunted IC 748. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to chat, I sketched NGC 6380. It seemed just like Alan Rickman.
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 internet sex.