As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Dilbert 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 12. It would be easy to confuse with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 21. It gave the appearance of all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I glimpsed Abell 4 in Fornax. It gave the appearance of Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 22 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared to be Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 101. It reminded me of Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 514 in Scorpius. It seemed most like a whale spouting. After that, I hunted for IC 3879. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I hunted for NGC 4445. It was better than cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 30 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with a far-away cloud. After that, I star-hopped to B 326. It was a blurry likeness of the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 69 in Antlia. It reminded me of whipped cream. After that, I located B 614 in Canis Major. It looked uncannily like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 6. It looked uncannily like a little triangle. After that, I found IC 2068 in Orion. It appeared at low power like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 3724. It was like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to M 34 in Fornax. It took me back to the first time I saw one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I sketched IC 3422. It was as bright as Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 2088 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.