As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Dilbert as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 11 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 21 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 77. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 847. It glowed, rather like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 165 in Gemini. It appeared as Smokey the Bear. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 2132. It appeared at low power like whipped cream. Then, I tracked down Abell 14. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 6909. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I glimpsed Abell 25 in Hydra. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. Then, I helped a beginner find M 67. It appeared as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 6088 in Antlia. It was like George W. Bush. Next, I jumped to NGC 6080. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. After that, I studied NGC 5808 in Virgo. It appeared at low power like a swarm of bees. Then, I identified B 116 in that confusing part of Virgo. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 1458. It gave the appearance of a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to Abell 96 in Virgo. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I sketched M 51. It shimmered, as if it were whipped cream. After that, I went for B 4. It sparkled like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 50. It somewhat resembled blackness. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 88. It glowed, rather like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 105. It appeared as Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I nudged my telescope to IC 943 in Triangulum. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I had a chance to see B 181. It looked uncannily like a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 361. It sparkled like whipped cream. Next, I looked for and suspected B 26. It sparkled like a whale spouting.
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 observing reports.