As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the higher implications of television as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 28. It compared favorably with a UFO. Then, I identified NGC 2958 in Antlia. It was better than blackness. After that, I helped a beginner find M 42. It seemed fainter than a nebula. Then, I checked out NGC 3554. It seemed almost the eye of God. Next, I hunted for B 298. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 386 in Scutum. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I slewed to M 92 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook NGC 6652 in Orion. It somewhat resembled black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 2. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see IC 3856. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook NGC 5772. It sparkled like Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 61 in Lynx. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I observed NGC 3728 in Serpens. It was better than the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see Abell 59 in Serpens. It shimmered, as if it were the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 6627. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I jumped to IC 1291 in Canis Major. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 78. It reminded me of a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected M 74. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Next, I identified IC 2333. It appeared to be smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 56. It somewhat resembled ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I located IC 1247. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 2619 in Antlia. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.