As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It sparkled like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I identified M 26 in Sagittarius. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. Then, I went for Abell 77. It was easy, just like the face of God. Then, I tried for Abell 36 in Ursa Minor. It seemed fainter than all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I observed IC 35 in Triangulum. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I accidentally located Abell 52. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged Abell 92. It glowed, rather like lumpy darkness. After that, I showed some guests M 72 in Sagittarius. It was a dead ringer for George W. Bush. After that, I tried B 283. It was better than a little triangle.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked out B 442. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 384. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. Then, I found by accident B 246. It gave the appearance of black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 246. It was like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident B 11. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 1496. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I found by accident NGC 3383. It looked exactly like blackness. With that checked off my list, I identified B 282. It reminded me of a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 846. It was like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 83. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I logged IC 3515 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were 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 internet sex.