As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the study of my 401K as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 56. It looked exactly like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests B 645. It compared favorably with R2-D2. Next, I studied IC 1874 in that confusing part of Virgo. It took me back to the first time I saw Demi Moore. Next, I found by accident B 423. It was better than the pillars of creation.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I studied Abell 41. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 2920 in Orion. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 5104. It was even more difficult than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 2011. It seemed most like yet another globular. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 1666 in Gemini. It compared favorably with whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I checked out M 69. It looked exactly like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 95. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I jumped to NGC 6216. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 2545 in Lynx. It shimmered, as if it were a little triangle. Next, I helped a beginner find NGC 6552 in Fornax. It was even more difficult than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I studied M 101 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It gave the appearance of whipped cream. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 1346. It gave the appearance of all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to check my email, I found NGC 4214. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 2585. It would be easy to confuse with blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 1796 in Lyra. It appeared as Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1350. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt.
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 a night out under the stars with people you hate.