As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Dilbert as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 78 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. Then, I logged M 65. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. After that, I found M 82. It was like whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 2614. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I stumbled upon B 94. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 497. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 17. It was as bright as Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 4824. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. After that, I looked for and suspected M 98 in Cygnus. It reminded me of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 5167. It looked uncannily like a UFO.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I slewed to NGC 2968 in Sagittarius. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 66. It seemed fainter than the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon B 450 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. Then, I slewed to NGC 3160. It was as bright as a little triangle. Next, I studied Abell 87. It looked uncannily like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1349. It took me back to the first time I saw a cantilever bra. Then, I identified Abell 4. It appeared to be ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1988 in Virgo. It looked uncannily like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 109. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 1 in Triangulum. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for NGC 2792. It would be easy to confuse with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I looked at IC 3722 in Lyra. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing.
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.