As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of television as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79. It appeared as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 38. It was not quite as bright as Miss Piggy. After that, I star-hopped to IC 3179. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 467 in Lynx. It shimmered, as if it were Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 736. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 36 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water. Next, I accidentally located IC 3686. It was not quite as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought NGC 4456. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 59 in Lyra. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 2168. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I looked at NGC 27. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I identified Abell 92 in Fornax. It would be easy to confuse with Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 18. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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.