As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the morality of the internet as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. Then, I accidentally located NGC 4253 in Lepus. It shimmered, as if it were blackness. Next, I tried for Abell 85. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 549 in Perseus. It was as bright as R2-D2. Then, I hunted for NGC 1047. It seemed fainter than a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 111. It was easy, just like ripples of water. After that, I tried Abell 11 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was even more difficult than Miss Piggy.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.