As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my life's work 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 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I tried for IC 872 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to Abell 98 in Sagittarius. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2842. It was like dancing elephants. Next, I hunted for M 103 in Antlia. It appeared as blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 2. It looked like a far-away cloud. Then, I sketched M 97. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 630 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I went for IC 1370. It looked exactly like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I found B 576. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 6192. It compared favorably with a cantilever bra. After that, I logged Abell 26. It reminded me of Dubya. Next, I sketched B 93 in Scutum. It looked like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 956. It looked a bit like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I identified Abell 47 in Cygnus. It was better than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I sketched Abell 22 in Ophiuchus. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Then, I tried IC 2692 in the western sky. It looked exactly like a nebula.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.