As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the internet as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 11 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It somewhat resembled a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 11. It sparkled like the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find IC 3533. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I identified IC 3628. It seemed just like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 3 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I slewed to B 376 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Then, I observed M 5. It appeared as the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 46 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 3982. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 17. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I showed some guests B 100. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 1690. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 431. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 59. It was as bright as a smoke ring. Next, I showed some guests IC 3511. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I found Abell 9 in Perseus. It sparkled like George W. Bush.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.