As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of world hunger as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 14 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 32. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I went for M 92. It looked a bit like the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 3923. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. Next, I sought IC 3182. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I checked off Abell 50. It was as bright as yet another globular. After that, I slewed to IC 432 in Orion. It reminded me of the face of God. Then, I slewed to NGC 850. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 219 in Lyra. It looked like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests Abell 4. It appeared in the eyepiece like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied B 63 in Fornax. It seemed just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 6956. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 44 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like a whale spouting. Next, I sketched Abell 64. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to do some yoga, I went for M 108 in Sagittarius. It was better than a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 3909. It was like a nebula. Next, I checked out NGC 3889. It reminded me of a whale spouting.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.