As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of tight underwear 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 0 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. After that, I accidentally located IC 616. It seemed most like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2310. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 2007. It was a dead ringer for dancing elephants. Next, I found B 577. It reminded me of George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 13. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. Then, I sketched Abell 31. It was even more difficult than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 480. It was like Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 74 in Lyra. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2883 in the western sky. It compared favorably with the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I hunted IC 305. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I sought B 327. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 2767. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 1810. It was better than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I sketched NGC 4395 in Ursa Major. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 3283 in Canis Major. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to walk around, I checked off IC 2571. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I tried Abell 24. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton on velvet. Then, I star-hopped to B 107 in Scorpius. It reminded me of desert sand. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 3457 in Gemini. It seemed most like a waterfall. Then, I added to my logbook IC 1990. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 73 in Ophiuchus. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I checked out M 66. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, I sought Abell 6. It looked exactly like Gollum.
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.