As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Plato's Republic 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 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It seemed just like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 2063. It looked a bit like a whale spouting. Next, I identified B 529 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 1018. It reminded me of a cantilever bra. Next, I identified M 33. It appeared as fleecy wool.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I checked off IC 3699. It was easy, just like Gollum. Next, I slewed to M 10. It was easy, just like the face of God. After that, I helped a beginner find M 54. It appeared to be desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 188. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I hunted Abell 7 in Lyra. It was a dead ringer for yet another globular. Then, I checked off IC 896. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 506 in Sculptor. It reminded me of Demi Moore. Next, I tracked down M 80 in Cygnus. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 25. It appeared as cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 5511 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 5758. It was easy, just like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 630. It appeared at low power like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out B 67 in the western sky. It was easy, just like fleecy wool.
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 day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.