As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of world hunger 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It looked exactly like Miss Piggy. Then, I observed B 171. It would be easy to confuse with a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 4575. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to check my email, I tried for B 410. It looked exactly like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 11. It sparkled like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I hunted IC 2324. It was a blurry likeness of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I tried for NGC 6497. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6124 in Antlia. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton on velvet.
After a short break to do some yoga, I hunted for NGC 5799. It glowed, rather like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located IC 32. It shimmered, as if it were dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I slewed to Abell 57. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I went for NGC 5603. It seemed almost Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 614 in Triangulum. It looked like Dubya. After that, I tracked down B 499 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 1020. It was like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 38. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I logged M 65. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Next, I added to my logbook M 28. It looked a bit like Gollum. Then, I jumped to NGC 1892. It appeared to be a spitting cobra. Next, I tried for M 31. It sparkled like cotton on velvet. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 2775. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. After that, I tried M 16 in the western sky. It looked uncannily like cotton candy.
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 hunting with the Vice President.