As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of television 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3. It seemed just like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 59. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2504 in Triangulum. It compared favorably with a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I slewed to B 302. It was not quite as bright as a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 6063 in Sagittarius. It appeared to be a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 93. It was not quite as bright as a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 101. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I glimpsed M 35. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted Abell 78. It seemed fainter than cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 1347. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 546 in Lepus. It appeared at low power like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried Abell 55. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 32 in Serpens. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 5. It glowed, rather like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 2888. It reminded me of Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched M 74. It was like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 254. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra. Next, I tracked down Abell 81. It gave the appearance of the face of God.
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 day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.