As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 36 in Canis Major. It appeared to be George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 6. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I star-hopped to Abell 28. It seemed most like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 72. It compared favorably with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 1832. It was better than cotton on velvet. Next, I jumped to NGC 3210. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 106 in Hydra. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 67. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 81. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 87. It appeared as the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 55 in Corvus. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 88. It was even more difficult than desert sand. Then, I sought IC 3039. It shimmered, as if it were a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 412. It was a blurry likeness of the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 516. It was like lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 43. It looked uncannily like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 554. It shimmered, as if it were dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 63. It gave the appearance of fleecy wool. Then, I stumbled upon M 25 in Hydra. It appeared as the face of God.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.