As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the human spirit 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 37 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 85 in Lyra. It appeared to be smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I glimpsed B 581. It was like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 34 in Scutum. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I found B 237. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 88. It glowed, rather like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I sought M 11 in Ursa Major. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After that, I found Abell 61. It seemed almost cotton candy. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 1 in Sculptor. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. Next, I glimpsed IC 1605. It looked uncannily like yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 49 in Canes Venatici. It appeared at low power like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 5. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 4753 in Triangulum. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. Then, I helped a beginner find M 56. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I located M 99 in Perseus. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I helped a beginner find M 75. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I located B 191. It shimmered, as if it were a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I tried for Abell 36 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 4318. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2500 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra. After that, I found by accident NGC 4060. It reminded me of a UFO.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.