As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39. It was better than a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 97. It looked exactly like dancing elephants. Next, I hunted Abell 10. It looked exactly like a far-away cloud. After that, I observed Abell 36. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I hunted for NGC 2573 in Serpens. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 26. It looked exactly like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 70 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of desert sand.
After a short break to have a smoke, I hunted for M 49. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 784. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.