As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of the energy crisis as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 101. It glowed, rather like a nebula.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I located B 416 in Antlia. It looked exactly like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I checked off B 148. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried M 73. It appeared as a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 110. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to IC 1356 in Lynx. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I glimpsed M 77. It was as bright as its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down M 29. It appeared in the eyepiece like fleecy wool.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I went for IC 899 in Antlia. It compared favorably with Dubya. After that, I stumbled upon IC 53 in Ophiuchus. It reminded me of dancing elephants.
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.