As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 98. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 39. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. Then, I logged IC 1287 in Lepus. It seemed most like cotton on velvet. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 70. It gave the appearance of George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 224. It seemed most like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified B 616. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out Abell 85. It compared favorably with black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 3560. It would be easy to confuse with whipped cream. Then, I checked out B 424. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I studied M 14 in Triangulum. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident NGC 6329. It appeared in the eyepiece like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 32. It reminded me of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 65 in Serpens. It looked exactly like a spitting cobra.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to B 409 in Cygnus. It looked a bit like a cantilever bra. Next, I accidentally located B 587. It seemed just like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 97 in Ursa Minor. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 466. It appeared at low power like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 75. It appeared at low power like Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to B 221 in Sculptor. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 104. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 2294. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I star-hopped to Abell 37 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. Then, I sketched NGC 1353. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.