As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of the energy crisis as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. 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 13. It was as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I identified NGC 5749 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed just like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 17. It was like a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 2250. It seemed just like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 1684. It was a blurry likeness of Dubya. After that, I nudged my telescope to M 103 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. After that, I jumped to M 25. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. Next, I studied IC 608. It appeared to be a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 2499. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 1496 in Sculptor. It was a dead ringer for a UFO. After that, I slewed to B 613. It would be easy to confuse with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I jumped to IC 2586 in Corvus. It was not quite as bright as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to have a smoke, I observed Abell 44. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried NGC 2600. It looked exactly like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 30. It looked a bit like a UFO. After that, I slewed to Abell 57. It appeared at low power like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 1234 in Cygnus. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I studied NGC 1876. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum. Next, I identified M 52. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 46. It took me back to the first time I saw a cantilever bra.
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.