As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Dilbert as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 88. It seemed fainter than a whale spouting. After that, I tracked down B 80 in Lyra. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 56. It reminded me of ripples of water. Next, I located B 88 in Perseus. It reminded me of dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4928. It was a dead ringer for one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I nudged my telescope to IC 570. It took me back to the first time I saw Smokey the Bear. After that, I slewed to M 35. It looked exactly like whipped cream. Next, I accidentally located Abell 34. It was a dead ringer for lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 1483. It looked like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed NGC 2093. It seemed almost Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 340 in Sagittarius. It was better than the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I showed some guests B 50. It sparkled like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 4755. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I looked at M 98. It looked uncannily like diamonds on black velvet. Then, I sought B 551. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I added to my logbook IC 3488 in Ophiuchus. It appeared to be Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 1340 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out IC 3735 in Triangulum. It appeared in the eyepiece like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 1223 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I accidentally located B 606. It was like blackness. Next, I studied NGC 6893 in Lynx. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I accidentally located NGC 6168. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I helped a beginner find Abell 11. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I sought NGC 6808 in Canes Venatici. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen.
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 root canal.