As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of chaos theory as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79. It appeared to be cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 782 in Serpens. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 4952 in Virgo. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests M 5. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. Then, I sketched IC 3700. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I stumbled upon IC 3342 in Perseus. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 3771. It seemed almost 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 reading observing reports.