As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the universe 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 8 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 14 in Fornax. It looked exactly like a spitting cobra. Then, I studied NGC 6670. It gave the appearance of a UFO. Next, I tried for IC 2275. It gave the appearance of blackness. With that checked off my list, I sought IC 2398. It seemed most like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 98. It looked uncannily like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 503 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 429. It seemed almost a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied NGC 4271. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon M 84 in Ursa Major. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I tried IC 40 in Scutum. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found M 43 in Canes Venatici. It glowed, rather like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 665 in the western sky. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.