As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the deep impact of astrology 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 12. It was better than the pillars of creation. Next, I sketched B 37. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. Then, I observed NGC 1197. It reminded me of blackness. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 88 in Virgo. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 4964 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 22. It was easy, just like cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 2754. It would be easy to confuse with yet another globular. After that, I tried NGC 5894. It was easy, just like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I showed some guests Abell 18. It glowed, rather like an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I had a chance to see B 108 in Lepus. It glowed, rather like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out B 559. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 22 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled blackness. Then, I went for M 49. It looked like a smoke ring. Next, I helped a beginner find M 6. It looked exactly like yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 80. It seemed most like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 298. It was a dead ringer for black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 69. It appeared in the eyepiece like spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.