As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current implications of Dilbert as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 24 in Fornax. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 99 in Hydra. It looked uncannily like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I stumbled upon IC 249 in Draco. It was like a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 55. It was as bright as fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 42. It seemed just like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 3872. It seemed fainter than ripples of water. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 5148. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I looked at Abell 93. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I sketched M 101. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 313 in Gemini. It appeared to be a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 3067 in Camelopardalis. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 370. It appeared as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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 hunting with the Vice President.