As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the inner workings of television 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 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 108. It was even more difficult than an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 90 in Draco. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 6194. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I looked at M 38. It was a dead ringer for dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 2065. It sparkled like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 342. It shimmered, as if it were Miss Piggy. Next, I hunted Abell 19. It seemed almost desert sand. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 872. It appeared as cotton candy. Next, I checked out NGC 3809. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 210. It appeared at low power like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 30. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. Next, I hunted M 76 in the western sky. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 1979. It gave the appearance of desert sand. Then, I hunted for NGC 6156. It compared favorably with a UFO. Next, I found by accident M 6. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed NGC 6446. It looked exactly like whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 1429. It looked like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 3782 in Ophiuchus. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
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 phone sex.