As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the morality of Doonsbury 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 33 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I jumped to IC 785. It somewhat resembled whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 39. It compared favorably with the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I logged NGC 2399. It appeared at low power like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to have a smoke, I sought Abell 64. It would be easy to confuse with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 647. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring. After that, I looked for and suspected B 577. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out NGC 6872. It appeared in the eyepiece like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 3748. It sparkled like lumpy darkness. After that, I identified NGC 3453 in Ursa Minor. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I sought M 35. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 69. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 674. It looked exactly like a spider. With that checked off my list, I located B 402. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 2815 in Fornax. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I identified M 99 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 2290 in Fornax. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I helped a beginner find NGC 3903. It seemed fainter than Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 444. It reminded me of ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 904. It would be easy to confuse with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.