As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of chaos theory 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 49 in Perseus. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 6638 in Canis Major. It gave the appearance of R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I studied B 407. It seemed most like a waterfall. Next, I checked off IC 3902. It looked exactly like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I located NGC 3014 in Sculptor. It took me back to the first time I saw the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 6723. It shimmered, as if it were a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 2868. It would be easy to confuse with a spitting cobra. After that, I found by accident Abell 24. It appeared as a little triangle. Next, I hunted for M 65 in Septans. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 3. It seemed almost a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I logged NGC 2656. It was like desert sand. Next, I jumped to Abell 14. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 7 in Sculptor. It gave the appearance of the invisible man. After that, I looked at B 402. It looked like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1632. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 cleaning the bathroom.