As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65. It looked like a whale spouting.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I slewed to M 56. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought B 508. It appeared as the eye of God. Next, I checked out Abell 78. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. After that, I accidentally located Abell 71. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 89. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 6 in Antlia. It seemed fainter than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 1487. It was easy, just like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 122 in Cygnus. It seemed most like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I tried M 25. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I found M 23 in Cygnus. It was as bright as Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 501 in Septans. It was as bright as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I found B 254. It seemed most like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 349 in Triangulum. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 5904 in Canis Major. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. After that, I jumped to IC 1968. It looked uncannily like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 1. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I sought M 30 in Canis Major. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 6608 in Scorpius. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I accidentally located Abell 92. It seemed just like lumpy darkness. Next, I glimpsed Abell 96. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to walk around, I slewed to Abell 58. It was better than the pillars of creation.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I slewed to B 306. It looked a bit like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
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.