As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 90. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I checked off NGC 3033. It sparkled like a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched NGC 63. It appeared at low power like Demi Moore. Next, I checked off B 75. It was as bright as dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 317. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to have a smoke, I jumped to M 38 in Gemini. It seemed fainter than R2-D2. Next, I studied M 106 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located M 109. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I sketched M 104. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I glimpsed B 641. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 6112. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 428. It appeared to be a spider. After that, I found Abell 20. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 376 in Sagittarius. It appeared as Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 3 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed fainter than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I stumbled upon M 14. It looked a bit like whipped cream.
After a short break to check my email, I had a chance to see B 443. It gave the appearance of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1435. It seemed just like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 29. It seemed fainter than a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.