As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 12 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 96. It was easy, just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 1235. It seemed just like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 54. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to check my email, I found by accident NGC 277. It would be easy to confuse with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 98. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. After that, I glimpsed IC 1241. It was as bright as dancing elephants. After that, I hunted M 66. It looked like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 410. It was like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I had a chance to see M 104 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw Gollum. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 3. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6947 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared in the eyepiece like Smokey the Bear. After that, I sought IC 3395. It looked exactly like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I accidentally located NGC 108. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 2047. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I helped a beginner find Abell 58. It looked like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I observed M 64. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 768. It looked uncannily like a waterfall. Then, I helped a beginner find B 264. It appeared at low power like Santa Claus. Next, I logged M 86 in Pisces Austrinus. It shimmered, as if it were the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I sketched M 85. It appeared as a smoke ring. Next, I stumbled upon IC 877. It shimmered, as if it were spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.