As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. After that, I observed NGC 6380. It seemed almost spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I tried IC 2041 in Lepus. It seemed most like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 878. It seemed just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I tried for B 504. It looked a bit like the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 2814. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 76. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. Next, I checked off Abell 93. It gave the appearance of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I checked out Abell 40. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 386 in Draco. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 511 in Triangulum. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I checked out IC 1220. It seemed fainter than Miss Piggy. After that, I logged Abell 18. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 2042 in Triangulum. It looked a bit like George W. Bush. After that, I looked at M 27. It reminded me of Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 3736. It looked uncannily like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 4302. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees. After that, I found Abell 8. It was like R2-D2.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I showed some guests B 244. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 3900. It appeared as Demi Moore. Next, I accidentally located B 280 in Lyra. It seemed fainter than Gollum.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.