As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of chaos theory as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to have a smoke, I jumped to M 99 in Draco. It somewhat resembled nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I hunted Abell 54. It looked uncannily like Gollum. After that, I hunted for Abell 25. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I helped a beginner find B 359. It seemed fainter than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I sought M 87. It gave the appearance of the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 92 in Corvus. It was as bright as a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4321. It was like fleecy wool. Next, I sketched NGC 4710. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Next, I went for NGC 5959. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 6042. It looked a bit like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 39. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 2742. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular. Next, I slewed to M 19. It compared favorably with the face of God.
After a short break to check my email, I observed IC 2839. It somewhat resembled dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 32. It appeared in the eyepiece like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 1 in Sagittarius. It looked exactly like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 72 in Ursa Minor. It looked exactly like black pearls on flocked paper.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.