As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the internet as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 40. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 15. It gave the appearance of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 66. It appeared as an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to check my email, I studied M 71 in Orion. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra.
After a short break to do some yoga, I located Abell 52. It was a blurry likeness of Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 100. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 6134. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 348 in Septans. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I logged M 71. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 9. It was easy, just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests NGC 3938 in Scorpius. It was even more difficult than cotton on velvet. Next, I tried for Abell 10. It gave the appearance of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 1975 in Virgo. It looked uncannily like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 67. It seemed fainter than an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 6319 in Canis Major. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular.
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.