As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of my 401K as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 44. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I sought M 33. It reminded me of yet another globular.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I hunted for NGC 3690 in the western sky. It was like lumpy darkness. Next, I showed some guests IC 1512 in Cygnus. It was like R2-D2.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I checked out M 11. It somewhat resembled Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 172. It appeared as black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I sketched NGC 4402. It was as bright as the eye of God. Next, I located B 49. It was better than a waterfall. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 27. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. After that, I helped a beginner find NGC 4744. It looked uncannily like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried Abell 95 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to IC 494. It would be easy to confuse with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon B 10. It looked like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 13 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 80 in Corvus. It compared favorably with the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 74. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I studied B 581. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I found by accident M 40 in Corvus. It seemed just like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 2885. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph.
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 State of the Union address.