As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Dilbert as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 59. It would be easy to confuse with the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I sketched NGC 6537. It glowed, rather like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I identified B 121. It appeared as an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 61. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 1491 in Camelopardalis. It glowed, rather like Alan Rickman. Next, I sketched B 264 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I sketched Abell 26. It was as bright as yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 57. It seemed fainter than Dubya. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 49. It looked exactly like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 1355 in Serpens. It was even more difficult than R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 75. It looked like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 490. It took me back to the first time I saw all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I glimpsed NGC 6834. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 2760. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I accidentally located Abell 29 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was not quite as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I observed IC 1853. It compared favorably with cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to M 106 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located M 3. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I went for IC 3339 in Sagittarius. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I tried NGC 5224 in Canis Major. It appeared at low power like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I hunted B 497. It was not quite as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.