As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the insignificance of my life's work 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 35 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 86 in Canes Venatici. It reminded me of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 6749. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I looked for and suspected IC 197. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I stumbled upon IC 843. It looked like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I sought M 84. It was not quite as bright as a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 7. It took me back to the first time I saw a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 1787 in the western sky. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 3507. It was a blurry likeness of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I hunted B 413. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 5132. It gave the appearance of the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident NGC 5482 in Septans. It was better than Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 90. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 20 in Ophiuchus. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 1396 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was like a UFO. After that, I checked off IC 3333 in Triangulum. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. Then, I hunted Abell 75. It gave the appearance of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 44. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I jumped to IC 3701. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 10. It seemed fainter than the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 201 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Then, I tracked down IC 3530. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1804 in Septans. It seemed almost a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 2085. It reminded me of 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 reading Beowulf in Old English.