As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the inner workings of my 401K as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29 in the western sky. It shimmered, as if it were a spider. Next, I tracked down B 77 in Orion. It was a dead ringer for a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 3456. It somewhat resembled 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I observed NGC 6133. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I found by accident Abell 5. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I went for Abell 67 in Septans. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman.
After a short break to check my email, I helped a beginner find NGC 2134. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 59. It was easy, just like a spider. After that, I had a chance to see IC 2182 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was a dead ringer for diamonds on black velvet. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 5216 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was better than cotton on velvet. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 34 in Lyra. It was like Dubya. After that, I located NGC 854. It appeared at low power like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to M 57. It shimmered, as if it were the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 72. It looked like blackness. After that, I jumped to M 40. It was easy, just like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 552. It was better than a spitting cobra.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I hunted for Abell 88. It appeared to be a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 51. It looked uncannily like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I added to my logbook NGC 2636 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet.
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.