As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 21 in Virgo. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 38 in Corvus. It was better than 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 3751. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I slewed to M 16. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 7. It was not quite as bright as the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to do some yoga, I found B 171. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 91. It glowed, rather like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests NGC 1219 in Serpens. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I star-hopped to Abell 82. It seemed almost the invisible man.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I found IC 3829. It compared favorably with nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 2181. It sparkled like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried IC 979 in Orion. It seemed just like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 80 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 1661 in Draco. It seemed most like George W. Bush. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 2741. It appeared in the eyepiece like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I jumped to B 327. It appeared in the eyepiece like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I tracked down Abell 40. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I stumbled upon M 69 in Orion. It looked uncannily like whipped cream.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted for NGC 4095. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I tried B 20 in Ursa Major. It seemed most like its Hubble photograph.
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.