As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my 401K 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 58 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1 in Canes Venatici. It sparkled like a whale spouting. After that, I accidentally located M 103 in Gemini. It looked uncannily like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 97. It was even more difficult than cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 3456. It was easy, just like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 2102. It looked like Smokey the Bear. After that, I star-hopped to IC 1128 in Draco. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I slewed to Abell 20. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I hunted for Abell 37 in Orion. It sparkled like cotton candy. Next, I jumped to IC 1166 in Canis Major. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 82. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I glimpsed NGC 6821. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected Abell 4. It reminded me of whipped cream. Then, I stumbled upon M 12 in Ursa Major. It somewhat resembled an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 3473 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 2341. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 4. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I went for IC 3489 in Lyra. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.