As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the internet 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 5. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I showed some guests M 50. It appeared as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I looked at Abell 4 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed NGC 4048. It was not quite as bright as fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 5479. It was even more difficult than R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 7. It was not quite as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I looked at NGC 390 in Ursa Minor. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 88. It looked exactly like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 16. It appeared as Demi Moore.
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 poetry reading marathon.