As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Doonsbury 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 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 87. It was better than a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 3056. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 61. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 2503. It would be easy to confuse with a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2413 in Hydra. It was easy, just like R2-D2. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 32. It was like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 2779 in Hydra. It looked like a smoke ring. Next, I jumped to Abell 94 in Perseus. It was even more difficult than an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I hunted NGC 1685. It was like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I found by accident NGC 4824. It appeared to be Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4626. It shimmered, as if it were black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 995 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I hunted B 549. It sparkled like blackness. Next, I logged Abell 66 in Canes Venatici. It was a blurry likeness of a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I identified B 536 in Serpens. It appeared at low power like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I looked for and suspected B 532. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to M 4. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 66 in Pisces Austrinus. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 362. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 32 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 33. It looked a bit like a nebula. Next, I found NGC 6070. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 69. It sparkled like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 34. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.