As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Doonsbury 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 3 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 98 in Scorpius. It was as bright as its Hubble photograph. Next, I sketched NGC 5542 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It sparkled like its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 6. It sparkled like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests NGC 2011. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I found B 547. It glowed, rather like a cantilever bra. Then, I showed some guests NGC 1661. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 3107. It was like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 1081 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I logged M 10. It would be easy to confuse with a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 97. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I found B 500. It reminded me of a spitting cobra.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I studied Abell 3 in Triangulum. It somewhat resembled a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged B 152. It appeared as black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to IC 151 in Canis Major. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 471. It was not quite as bright as George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 88 in Hydra. It appeared as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I accidentally located IC 2540 in Sagittarius. It looked a bit like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I sketched IC 616 in Fornax. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 30 in Ursa Major. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. Then, I tracked down M 95 in Septans. It looked exactly like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 107 in Orion. It looked exactly like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 75. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. Then, I found by accident IC 3780 in Canis Major. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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.