As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the insignificance of the universe as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 77. It was like a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 1496. It was easy, just like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 97. It seemed fainter than the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I helped a beginner find B 224 in Camelopardalis. It appeared to be a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I identified B 640. It was a dead ringer for a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 469. It seemed just like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I slewed to NGC 3612 in Corvus. It seemed most like blackness. After that, I accidentally located IC 3729. It appeared as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I glimpsed IC 627. It was better than cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 3744 in Lyra. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 1846. It sparkled like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 3084. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Next, I went for M 38. It looked like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 4694. It appeared to be smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched IC 3851. It looked exactly like Dubya. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 102. It appeared at low power like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 50. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 79. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.