As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the insignificance of world hunger as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 18. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I checked off NGC 147. It took me back to the first time I saw dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 264. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 967. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 24 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with its Hubble photograph. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests B 126. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I tried NGC 6219. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. Next, I sketched B 196. It seemed most like whipped cream. Then, I located IC 2850. It glowed, rather like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 2153. It seemed most like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 3313 in Triangulum. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 96. It gave the appearance of Miss Piggy. Next, I observed Abell 19. It seemed fainter than a spider. Then, I studied M 69. It was even more difficult than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I looked at IC 1354. It was as bright as Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 40. It appeared to be black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 51. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I looked at Abell 90. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman. Then, I slewed to B 220 in Scorpius. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, I checked out IC 2486. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I hunted Abell 6. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 74. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. Next, I showed some guests M 97 in Antlia. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.