As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the popularity of Dilbert as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 38 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 87. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 59. It appeared to be diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I logged Abell 75. It somewhat resembled desert sand. Then, I hunted B 144. It appeared at low power like dancing elephants. Then, I sketched NGC 2484 in Lyra. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out B 554 in Ophiuchus. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 633. It seemed just like George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 2522. It looked uncannily like R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 3448 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I found by accident M 13 in that confusing part of Virgo. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt.
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 poetry reading marathon.