As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of economic theory as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 9. It was as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 17. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 632. It seemed just like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 644. It was better than Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 32. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to check my email, I helped a beginner find Abell 35. It was better than a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 3497 in Draco. It was not quite as bright as lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down Abell 66 in Virgo. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 31. It was as bright as the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 4478. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 416. It was not quite as bright as dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 82 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 48 in Scutum. It gave the appearance of black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 3657. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen.
After a short break to walk around, I tried M 23 in Corvus. It looked a bit like R2-D2. Next, I tried Abell 84. It looked like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 25 in Lepus. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 174 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked a bit like a spitting cobra.
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 night out under the stars with people you hate.