As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Dilbert as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 35 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 40 in Scorpius. It seemed almost an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off IC 3233 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. After that, I showed some guests NGC 3582. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 1248 in Triangulum. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 3469. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. Next, I slewed to B 60. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 3843 in Hydra. It was as bright as cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 31. It looked a bit like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 229. It reminded me of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I located B 23. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I checked off M 16. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I located Abell 78 in Ophiuchus. It appeared at low power like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 4481. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 41 in Scorpius. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. After that, I looked for and suspected M 1. It seemed fainter than dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked for and suspected IC 122. It seemed fainter than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I hunted for Abell 96. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 2644. It was better than desert sand. Next, I glimpsed Abell 13. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I helped a beginner find B 268 in Hydra. It was as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
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.