As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of tight underwear as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 8. It reminded me of a nebula. Next, I had a chance to see M 73. It was better than a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 45. It appeared to be spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for IC 2008. It was easy, just like a far-away cloud. Next, I observed Abell 42. It was as bright as Gollum. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 5137 in Cygnus. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 1825 in Orion. It gave the appearance of the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 10 in Perseus. It appeared as a waterfall.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I added to my logbook B 498 in Serpens. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I found M 10 in Triangulum. It glowed, rather like a far-away cloud. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 4205. It sparkled like Dubya. Next, I went for M 90. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 1. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 21. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find B 465 in Scorpius. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought Abell 17 in Serpens. It was easy, just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests B 619 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 17 in the western sky. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I hunted for M 32 in Cygnus. It looked like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 31. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I tried for IC 2797. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 3374. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.