As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the morality of the energy crisis as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found Abell 95 in Sagittarius. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 44 in Sagittarius. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum. With that checked off my list, I observed Abell 54. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I identified IC 3668. It seemed fainter than a UFO.
After a short break to check my email, I observed B 423. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to M 90 in Corvus. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool.
After a short break to do some yoga, I identified NGC 2936 in Hydra. It seemed most like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 27 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 508 in Perseus. It appeared as blackness.
After a short break to check my email, I showed some guests B 300. It glowed, rather like a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 3792 in Lynx. It appeared in the eyepiece like a nebula.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sketched NGC 1055 in Ursa Minor. It looked exactly like whipped cream. Then, I glimpsed NGC 4794. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I stumbled upon M 26. It sparkled like R2-D2. Then, I accidentally located B 592. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I went for NGC 2269. It seemed fainter than the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I looked at B 511 in Orion. It reminded me of fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out B 15. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 80. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I located IC 2999 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked a bit like Miss Piggy. Next, I star-hopped to IC 2958. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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.