As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of the human spirit 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 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 108. It looked exactly like dancing elephants.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I sketched M 48. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 100 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out Abell 9 in Virgo. It compared favorably with blackness. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 4642 in Sculptor. It somewhat resembled dancing elephants. Next, I added to my logbook B 202. It seemed fainter than a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 5429. It looked exactly like blackness.
After a short break to do some yoga, I observed IC 3600. It sparkled like a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for NGC 4488. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I sketched M 73 in Septans. It was even more difficult than lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 179. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I glimpsed M 81 in Scorpius. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 90. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. Then, I hunted for IC 328 in Draco. It was as bright as cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at NGC 6726. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Then, I glimpsed IC 680. It appeared as the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 486 in Ursa Major. It appeared at low power like a nebula.
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 hot poker rammed up your nose.