As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of my 401K as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 81. It would be easy to confuse with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 4001. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I slewed to NGC 183. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular. After that, I sketched B 339 in Serpens. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 5041 in Perseus. It seemed almost desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 81. It gave the appearance of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I looked for and suspected B 301. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I located M 1. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. After that, I hunted IC 3812. It reminded me of R2-D2.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I helped a beginner find NGC 6047. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 109. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I identified IC 1958. It sparkled like R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 5833. It seemed almost 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted IC 1335. It was as bright as the pillars of creation. Then, I hunted B 403. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 461 in Fornax. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen.
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 day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.