As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of my life's work as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 108. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. After that, I logged NGC 300 in Gemini. It was easy, just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 398. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 131 in the western sky. It seemed most like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 34. It looked exactly like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 406 in Ursa Minor. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
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 hot poker rammed up your nose.