As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the higher implications of television as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 18. It looked exactly like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 2521. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed Abell 96 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I checked out B 641. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. Next, I located IC 3705. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 234 in Canes Venatici. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 79. It was a dead ringer for Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 620. It somewhat resembled the eye of God.
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 root canal.