As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the higher implications of economic theory 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 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 84. It was not quite as bright as an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I jumped to NGC 5602. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I showed some guests Abell 74 in Ursa Major. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I star-hopped to IC 1056. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 59. It seemed just like the invisible man. Then, I identified IC 1516. It would be easy to confuse with desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out B 6. It was easy, just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I went for B 554 in the western sky. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.