As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of chaos theory as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 16 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67. It was a blurry likeness of George W. Bush.
After a short break to have a smoke, I sketched M 3 in Orion. It was not quite as bright as a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 338 in Gemini. It sparkled like Gollum.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I studied M 86. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. After that, I looked at B 548 in Serpens. It gave the appearance of yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified M 65. It glowed, rather like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 59. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. Next, I glimpsed NGC 1569. It reminded me of Gollum. Then, I slewed to IC 2210. It glowed, rather like the eye of God. Next, I checked out IC 228. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I tried Abell 95. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 6199. It would be easy to confuse with a little triangle.
After a short break to have a smoke, I studied M 56 in Corvus. It looked like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 420. It appeared to be a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied M 24. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 74 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was not quite as bright as blackness. Then, I logged B 316 in Canis Major. It reminded me of a little triangle. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 866 in Virgo. It looked exactly like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I showed some guests NGC 3630. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I star-hopped to B 389. It somewhat resembled nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I found by accident M 58. It looked a bit like yet another globular.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I looked at Abell 49. It somewhat resembled diamonds on black velvet. After that, I observed NGC 561 in Ophiuchus. It was not quite as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.