As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 91. It gave the appearance of the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 79. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 18. It seemed fainter than a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 3465 in Hydra. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. Then, I located Abell 10 in Antlia. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I showed some guests NGC 331. It glowed, rather like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 3411. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. Then, I had a chance to see M 19. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 31. It somewhat resembled a whale spouting. After that, I located NGC 534. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I sought M 82 in Ursa Major. It was even more difficult than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I sought Abell 37. It sparkled like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 27. It glowed, rather like cotton candy.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted for M 73 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like yet another globular. After that, I found by accident IC 567. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to do some yoga, I sought NGC 4536. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 104 in Corvus. It sparkled like a spider. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3089. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 424. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I sketched B 372. It appeared as Alan Rickman. After that, I studied IC 1571 in Perseus. It was as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I checked out IC 59. It compared favorably with yet another globular.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.