As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of world hunger as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged IC 2846. It was even more difficult than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I logged B 482. It appeared to be its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I accidentally located NGC 6823 in Orion. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook M 77. It was a dead ringer for lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 4458. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 2772 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 2882. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 393. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 1035. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 81. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 60. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 1407 in Sculptor. It looked a bit like the invisible man. Next, I tried M 34. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I tried for M 7. It seemed most like blackness. Next, I located Abell 68. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 32. It shimmered, as if it were cotton on velvet.
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.