As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31 in Virgo. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I star-hopped to B 110. It was a blurry likeness of Miss Piggy.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tried for Abell 22 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 4719. It was easy, just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought NGC 1828. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 608 in Antlia. It looked like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 3990. It looked exactly like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2937. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to walk around, I studied M 72. It glowed, rather like whipped cream.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I slewed to M 67 in Serpens. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I logged Abell 18. It was a blurry likeness of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 3726 in Triangulum. It looked a bit like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off B 544. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 407 in Lynx. It seemed most like blackness. Then, I tried B 469. It looked a bit like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 100. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 377. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to check my email, I star-hopped to Abell 29. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I identified IC 2936. It somewhat resembled two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I found M 17 in Orion. It seemed fainter than Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 2888. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 2538. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.