As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of Dilbert 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 16 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 54 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I tried for IC 1372. It seemed most like George W. Bush. Next, I glimpsed M 56. It shimmered, as if it were blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon IC 1444. It looked a bit like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 24. It appeared at low power like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I located Abell 76 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was even more difficult than dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 75. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 89 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.