As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79 in Orion. It reminded me of yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 96 in Sculptor. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I slewed to IC 875. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall. After that, I star-hopped to B 9. It sparkled like cotton candy. After that, I jumped to Abell 22. It was better than dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I helped a beginner find IC 124. It seemed most like a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I located B 574. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 99. It seemed most like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 269. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 4016 in Corvus. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 39 in Serpens. It seemed fainter than desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 17. It appeared in the eyepiece like George W. Bush. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 46 in Orion. It seemed just like a little triangle. After that, I found IC 325. It looked a bit like a whale spouting. Next, I sought B 412 in Lepus. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. Next, I went for M 94. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find M 5 in Fornax. It looked a bit like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I observed B 28. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I found M 80. It was a blurry likeness of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I hunted for Abell 58 in Cygnus. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to chat, I jumped to M 46 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 467. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
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 poetry reading marathon.