As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the morality of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 58 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 34. It was like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 75. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I accidentally located M 88. It looked like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 235 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 12. It was a dead ringer for yet another globular. Then, I observed NGC 1244 in Serpens. It compared favorably with a waterfall. Then, I had a chance to see Abell 69. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I looked for and suspected B 346. It appeared as whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 85. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud.
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 ebola.