As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 93. It somewhat resembled nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 67. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 79 in Antlia. It shimmered, as if it were George W. Bush.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I hunted NGC 902. It compared favorably with Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 316. It appeared as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 2827 in Septans. It appeared to be spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 107. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 88. It reminded me of fleecy wool. After that, I tracked down NGC 1438. It was even more difficult than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I slewed to Abell 78. It compared favorably with a nebula. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 1419. It looked uncannily like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I studied IC 149. It looked a bit like Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out Abell 92. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 143. It seemed just like a nebula.
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 a night out under the stars with people you hate.