As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the higher implications of chaos theory as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 30. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 164. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged B 232. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I showed some guests NGC 980. It was as bright as Smokey the Bear. After that, I slewed to B 143. It was not quite as bright as cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 15 in Canes Venatici. It was better than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I sketched NGC 2096 in Sculptor. It seemed just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 3974. It reminded me of a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 5905. It was as bright as a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook Abell 14. It looked uncannily like 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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.