As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the deep impact of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 33 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 3459 in Lynx. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for Abell 8. It appeared at low power like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 370 in Lyra. It gave the appearance of a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out IC 588 in Camelopardalis. It was not quite as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident Abell 5. It was easy, just like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 55. It looked exactly like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 84. It seemed just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to have a smoke, I logged B 383. It appeared at low power like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I tracked down NGC 1396. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 6684. It was better than a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 255 in Camelopardalis. It was a blurry likeness of its Hubble photograph. Next, I went for Abell 57 in Perseus. It was not quite as bright as an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon M 81 in Orion. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I had a chance to see IC 178. It looked uncannily like a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 2022 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. After that, I tracked down NGC 1557 in Triangulum. It was a dead ringer for desert sand.
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).