As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the insignificance of tight underwear as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 69. It seemed most like a spider. Then, I showed some guests B 12. It was easy, just like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 4810 in Triangulum. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out NGC 4839. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 273 in Corvus. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. Next, I accidentally located NGC 6645. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to B 609 in Fornax. It was a dead ringer for a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 24. It appeared to be dancing elephants. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 72. It was a dead ringer for an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 88. It reminded me of fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 221. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 3889. It compared favorably with a nebula. Then, I hunted for IC 600 in Ophiuchus. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. After that, I had a chance to see M 108 in Ophiuchus. It was not quite as bright as George W. Bush. After that, I stumbled upon IC 929. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 48. It took me back to the first time I saw a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 3251. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed NGC 4170 in Serpens. It seemed almost smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5450 in Serpens. It glowed, rather like Gollum. After that, I sought IC 2992. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.