As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of tight underwear as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 83 in Ophiuchus. It appeared in the eyepiece like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 87. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down M 28 in Ursa Minor. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I looked at Abell 47. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 1850 in the western sky. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I tried NGC 3899 in Scutum. It seemed just like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 11. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I went for M 59. It was easy, just like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 515 in Camelopardalis. It was as bright as a little triangle. Then, I sketched M 8. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find Abell 79. It was not quite as bright as 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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.