by Marek Cichanski
So, I looked at the satellite loop a couple of hours ago, and it looked like there was a nice clear hole that was going to come over us in a little while. Sure enough, it did. I set up the ED80, looked at Machholz, looked at the Pleiades, looked at M42, M35, Castor, and then Saturn.
Wonderful seeing on Saturn. Like the last time I took advantage of one of these holes, it was extremely sharp and steady. I settled down to a good long session of staring at the ringed planet...
Until a fellow with a shopping cart and a Crystal Geyser bottle half-filled with beer wandered by and struck up a conversation...er, I mean, started a monologue. He wasn't mean or scary or anything like that, just a homeless fellow with some issues... involving the police, all of the world's religions, the gay community, and something about a guy in a white robe. Since he didn't seem to pose any threat, I was just nodding and chiming in from time to time while I continued to stare at Saturn. (The seeing was that good!)
But, it didn't seem fair to my neighbors to have this gentleman delivering his monologue in a rather loud voice, so I packed up, eventually managed to beg off, and went inside.
Truly, the weather gods have it in for me. If they can't cloud me out, they send their agent on earth to keep me away from the eyepiece. Oh well, I guess I can't complain. I saw some objects, and taking the longer view, I really am lucky to have a job, a home, mental health, all that good stuff. There but for the grace of God go I. (And he did seem to enjoy looking at Saturn.)
Maybe I'll go out again later tonight, and hope that I'm left alone.
Hilltop... can't wait to go to a hilltop... and I have just two little words: Gate Mojo!
Posted on sf-bay-tac Jan 09, 2005 22:11:52 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 25, 2005 20:34:21 PT