As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 64. It seemed fainter than a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 62. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 40. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I tracked down B 74. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I identified Abell 12. It reminded me of R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched M 26. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6153. It looked like a spider. After that, I logged M 71. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 98. It took me back to the first time I saw that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 315. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 181 in Triangulum. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 3179. It seemed almost George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 294. It appeared to be a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I slewed to B 222. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 2683. It was a dead ringer for Gollum. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 1210. It seemed almost a whale spouting. Then, I glimpsed IC 2157. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I jumped to M 60. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 348 in Ophiuchus. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 65. It was better than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 573 in Ophiuchus. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 358 in Ophiuchus. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 624 in Lyra. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 poetry reading marathon.