As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of my 401K 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 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 110 in Serpens. It was a dead ringer for Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 11. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After that, I accidentally located NGC 202. It glowed, rather like the invisible man. Next, I checked out IC 211. It was like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 102 in Sculptor. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I showed some guests Abell 34. It was easy, just like the pillars of creation. Next, I glimpsed IC 2624. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 16 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I identified NGC 5271. It took me back to the first time I saw the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 96. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 44 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed almost Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 229. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 4895 in Sculptor. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I showed some guests B 273 in Serpens. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 6447 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 88. It was a blurry likeness of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 49. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 1821. It appeared as Miss Piggy. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 772. It looked like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed B 642. It appeared in the eyepiece like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 2107. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra.
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 watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.