As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It shimmered, as if it were cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 884. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Next, I observed B 130 in Sculptor. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 704 in Cygnus. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 92. It seemed most like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I located NGC 3031 in Virgo. It reminded me of cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 55. It was not quite as bright as fleecy wool. After that, I sketched Abell 83. It appeared at low power like spent coals, faintly glowing. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 1423 in Canes Venatici. It reminded me of R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 3646. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 6847. It seemed almost desert sand. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 58. It appeared in the eyepiece like Gollum. Next, I glimpsed NGC 4302. It seemed fainter than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 3458. It looked a bit like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 1300 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 51. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 4215. It looked like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I jumped to IC 1739 in Cygnus. It compared favorably with dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 42. It glowed, rather like blackness. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 4488. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I located IC 2566. It looked uncannily like George W. Bush. Then, I observed IC 3948. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.