As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of my 401K as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 64 in Sagittarius. It looked like a far-away cloud.
After a short break to walk around, I showed some guests IC 3249. It appeared as Demi Moore. After that, I found by accident NGC 6179. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 3038. It was like a nebula. After that, I jumped to NGC 735 in Scorpius. It was like the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 4319 in Fornax. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.