As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the energy crisis 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 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48 in Orion. It appeared as the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 2578. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 88. It was like Smokey the Bear. Then, I logged IC 148 in Sculptor. It glowed, rather like Santa Claus. Next, I had a chance to see IC 2824. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 4684 in Antlia. It was not quite as bright as a nebula. Then, I checked off M 30 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It gave the appearance of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 566. It was even more difficult than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 493. It looked exactly like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 82 in Hydra. It was like the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 5572. It was better than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 6356 in Ursa Major. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I identified IC 1163 in Lynx. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 3404. It glowed, rather like desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 596. It appeared at low power like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 22. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I hunted for NGC 4679. It looked like desert sand. After that, I glimpsed NGC 5525 in Septans. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 314 in Triangulum. It was not quite as bright as a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I studied IC 2981 in Fornax. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I glimpsed M 83. It was easy, just like a little triangle.
After a short break to have a smoke, I observed M 47 in Triangulum. It was like Gollum. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 4963. It seemed almost dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 300 in Camelopardalis. It was like George W. Bush.
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 cleaning the bathroom.