As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Doonsbury as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 92. It was easy, just like Santa Claus. Next, I added to my logbook M 3. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 593. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. Then, I had a chance to see M 96 in Ophiuchus. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 536. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 108 in Camelopardalis. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I looked at B 447. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. After that, I glimpsed B 424. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 241. It appeared as cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3958 in the western sky. It was easy, just like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down IC 927. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I sought IC 2852. It was not quite as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I stumbled upon M 11 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 430. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 437 in Virgo. It was like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 607 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed almost Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 2271. It appeared to be R2-D2. Then, I checked out NGC 605. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 24. It sparkled like Gollum. Then, I sketched IC 2186. It was easy, just like the eye of God. Next, I sought NGC 824. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I went for B 188. It appeared at low power like Dubya. After that, I tried IC 2725 in Ursa Major. It glowed, rather like ripples of water.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.