As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of television as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 0 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tried NGC 4778 in Hydra. It looked exactly like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 5549. It appeared in the eyepiece like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests NGC 5888. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 53 in Serpens. It was not quite as bright as lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried NGC 3552. It was like R2-D2. Then, I accidentally located Abell 1. It appeared to be whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected NGC 3904. It appeared in the eyepiece like Smokey the Bear. Next, I helped a beginner find M 53. It looked a bit like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I observed M 71. It seemed most like a spider. Then, I glimpsed IC 2483. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 3090 in Ursa Major. It seemed most like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 836 in Ursa Major. It looked like a swarm of bees. Next, I accidentally located B 81. It looked uncannily like the face of God. After that, I showed some guests Abell 41 in Pisces Austrinus. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 19. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 67. It compared favorably with Miss Piggy. After that, I studied B 350. It was like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 38. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. After that, I tried for M 58. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. After that, I checked off M 82. It seemed almost Santa Claus. Next, I studied B 90. It looked like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I located NGC 2584. It appeared as the face of God. Then, I checked off NGC 4467 in Ursa Major. It took me back to the first time I saw two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
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.