As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the study of tight underwear 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 45 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 13. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I looked at NGC 2119. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I tried B 373. It gave the appearance of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 19. It was like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I had a chance to see B 216. It gave the appearance of a nebula.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tracked down NGC 347. It was not quite as bright as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I hunted for Abell 36. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I sketched Abell 12. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 26 in Antlia. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to have a smoke, I looked at M 34. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 53. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 43. It was like the pillars of creation. Then, I studied IC 60. It shimmered, as if it were the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for NGC 6199. It appeared as cotton on velvet. Next, I checked off IC 3375. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I checked out M 62. It seemed just like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located IC 1050 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 100 in Septans. It glowed, rather like Dubya. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 6975. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle.
After a short break to chat, I sought IC 2720 in Lyra. It seemed most like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 15. It gave the appearance of the face of God.
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 root canal.