As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the insignificance of my 401K as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25 in Scorpius. It gave the appearance of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 62 in Canis Major. It was even more difficult than ripples of water.
After a short break to have a smoke, I logged M 95. It somewhat resembled blackness. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2048. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for B 111. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I went for NGC 4636. It was easy, just like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 579. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 71. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 180 in Canis Major. It was a dead ringer for cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I hunted for NGC 2489. It was not quite as bright as Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 227. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 4447. It took me back to the first time I saw a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 1392. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Next, I helped a beginner find B 516. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph. Next, I studied Abell 99. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 4303. It looked exactly like the eye of God. After that, I looked at NGC 1303 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I located IC 19. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman. Then, I checked off B 48 in Corvus. It was as bright as ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 1371. It looked uncannily like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 886 in Sculptor. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I tried for M 107. It would be easy to confuse with blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 23 in Cygnus. It gave the appearance of a cantilever bra.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.