As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the popularity of the internet as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 12 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14. It was not quite as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 107. It was like Dubya. Then, I jumped to IC 3903. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 258 in Fornax. It seemed fainter than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I sketched M 22. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5955. It glowed, rather like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I looked for and suspected M 73. It looked like Dubya. Then, I located NGC 2634. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I hunted M 58. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I hunted for NGC 6250 in Scorpius. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 319. It reminded me of a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 551. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I glimpsed IC 875. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 16 in Ursa Minor. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 3064. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I studied Abell 22. It took me back to the first time I saw the face of God.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I slewed to M 18. It was not quite as bright as George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 6981. It appeared as fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 3950. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 120. It seemed most like the invisible man. After that, I stumbled upon B 91. It looked like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 5176. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 77. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 5407. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
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.