As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the morality of the human spirit 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 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 2 in Scorpius. It seemed most like cotton candy. After that, I hunted M 32 in Camelopardalis. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. After that, I went for Abell 95. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya. Then, I helped a beginner find IC 877 in Septans. It was as bright as Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 16. It seemed almost George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I found M 100. It gave the appearance of a nebula. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 47. It looked like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 3346 in that confusing part of Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were Gollum. Then, I slewed to M 104. It appeared at low power like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tracked down IC 532 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like fleecy wool.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I identified M 109 in Septans. It glowed, rather like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 73. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).