As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It was not quite as bright as a cantilever bra. Then, I had a chance to see IC 1292 in Hydra. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 61 in Ursa Minor. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I sketched Abell 4. It seemed just like Santa Claus.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I helped a beginner find M 78. It took me back to the first time I saw Dubya.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I hunted IC 3259. It seemed most like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 6997 in Canis Major. It seemed most like desert sand. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 33 in Sculptor. It was as bright as ripples of water. Next, I jumped to NGC 5128. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I slewed to NGC 2107 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like a swarm of bees. Next, I added to my logbook M 19 in Draco. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to chat, I checked out Abell 33. It seemed fainter than a spitting cobra. Then, I helped a beginner find B 4 in Ursa Minor. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out Abell 24. It compared favorably with a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 1513 in Virgo. It appeared at low power like 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 a night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.