As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 8. It appeared as blackness. After that, I found by accident NGC 4640. It was a blurry likeness of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 541 in Corvus. It reminded me of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 107 in Ursa Major. It seemed most like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 3235. It was not quite as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I looked for and suspected M 84 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. Next, I tracked down Abell 58. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 1058 in Draco. It reminded me of ripples of water. Next, I checked off M 40 in Draco. It was even more difficult than Dubya.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I checked out IC 3976. It was as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I checked off NGC 64. It was better than whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I located NGC 6313 in Corvus. It compared favorably with a swarm of bees. Next, I jumped to B 68. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 1923 in Ursa Minor. It was like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 380. It seemed most like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 14. It looked uncannily like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 64 in Gemini. It sparkled like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 30. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I looked at IC 3555. It seemed fainter than an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I showed some guests IC 1216. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I hunted for IC 1093. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 298 in Pisces Austrinus. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman.
After a short break to do some yoga, I helped a beginner find Abell 63. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.