As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Doonsbury 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 57. It was a blurry likeness of an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I checked off Abell 77. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 37. It was like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 74 in Septans. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 76 in Sculptor. It was better than whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 1224. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.