As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, 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 37 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 85. It was easy, just like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I hunted for M 66 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like lumpy darkness. After that, I slewed to M 69. It reminded me of a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 208. It sparkled like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 19. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I observed B 474. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 2012 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. Next, I logged IC 797. It appeared as two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.