As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current implications of tight underwear as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. 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 97 in the western sky. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to check my email, I tried IC 3557. It was a dead ringer for the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 90. It appeared as a UFO. With that checked off my list, I hunted M 41. It seemed almost yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 1526. It took me back to the first time I saw a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I tried IC 3231. It seemed fainter than 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I sketched B 500. It was even more difficult than a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for M 103 in Scutum. It looked like a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I observed M 108. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After that, I glimpsed B 399 in Canes Venatici. It appeared as desert sand. Next, I checked off B 649. It appeared as a smoke ring.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).