As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of tight underwear as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It glowed, rather like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down IC 2288. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 135. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I added to my logbook Abell 74. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. After that, I looked at Abell 15 in Canis Major. It appeared to be two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 14 in Ophiuchus. It was as bright as a waterfall.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tried for M 38. It seemed most like R2-D2.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.