As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of chaos theory as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 41. It was a blurry likeness of R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 2443. It somewhat resembled a UFO. With that checked off my list, I found IC 307. It glowed, rather like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 196. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 40. It reminded me of blackness. With that checked off my list, I located NGC 3215 in Ophiuchus. It sparkled like R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 2978 in Canis Major. It looked like Gollum.
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 poetry reading marathon.