As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the study of my life's work 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 71 in Ursa Major. It glowed, rather like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I found Abell 29. It was better than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I logged Abell 89. It appeared as a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 80. It compared favorably with Miss Piggy. Then, I tried for IC 1675. It somewhat resembled a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 3047. It took me back to the first time I saw an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I helped a beginner find B 506 in Cygnus. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I jumped to NGC 4520. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 6. It appeared to be cotton candy. Then, I tried for IC 3542. It was even more difficult than blackness. After that, I found by accident B 403. It appeared as a cantilever bra. After that, I accidentally located B 336 in Virgo. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. After that, I identified Abell 28. It took me back to the first time I saw Smokey the Bear. Then, I checked out Abell 64. It took me back to the first time I saw spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 3294. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet.
After a short break to do some yoga, I found IC 3251. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I located IC 2331. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 217. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I found by accident NGC 3449. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 103. It looked uncannily like yet another globular.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I identified M 108. It seemed most like yet another globular. After that, I tracked down B 551. It appeared to be the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 1892 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was even more difficult than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 308. It reminded me of desert sand.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.