The Maker

The Maker Song by Daniel Lanois Black and cold like the night I stand with arms wide open I've run a twisted line I'm a stranger In the eyes of the maker I could not see for the fog in my eyes I could not feel for the fear in my life From across the great divide In the distance I saw a light Walking to me with the maker My body is bent and broken By a long and dangerous sleep I can't work the Fields of Abraham And turn my head away In the hands of the maker Brother John, have you seen the homeless daughters Standing there with broken wings I have seen the flaming swords there over east of Eden Burning in the eyes of the maker Burning in the eyes of the maker Burning in the eyes of the maker Burning in the eyes of the maker Oh river rise from your sleep

"The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)"

Time once again for this one. Credited to Ron "Pigpen" McKernan What are they seeing, when they look in each other's eyes? What are they feeling, when they see each other smile? Is it love, I don't know - or an emotion that I've outgrown? Did I take a wrong turn on life's winding road? Won't somebody help me find the right way to go? My life need some correction, alteration in [and?] direction. Won't somebody stand by [comfort?] me - yes, I'm lost, yes, I'm lost, Yes, I'm lost. What is the secret of this tie that binds? [time of mine?] Two souls in communion, both body and mind. Is it special magic, or just the nature of things? Conceived of [Come see the?] great spirit, not for beggars but for kings. You who have found it please help me along. I'm a man, I'm a man, - I'm not made out of stone. My needs they are simple, I don't want anything, but I surely want to fly on those wings, on the run, one more time. All I wanna do, fly up, fly home. Fly on those wings of love, fly up, fly home, I'm a stranger [a staying?] in your town, fly up, fly home, Help me somebody please! Fly up, fly home. I wake up early in the morning, fly up, fly home, you know I never saw you babe, fly up, fly home. I just can't seem to understand, can't seem to understand what's wrong, fly up, fly home. What I wanna do is take a little ride with you, on the wings of love, woh-oh one more time, one more time.

Dottie

So can I say it really sucks ass being married and alone with a heartless life sucking bitch of which there is no escape lol. Just once maybe pay attention to me you husband of 40 fucking years. I do like being able to travel and see the world but it would be so much better to not be alone because my wife has no heart or soul.

Waiting on a friend

Watching girls passing by, it ain't the latest thing I'm just standing in a doorway I'm just trying to make some sense Out of these girls passing by, the tales they tell of men I'm not waiting on a lady I'm just waiting on a friend A smile relieves a heart that grieves, remember what I said I'm not waiting on a lady I'm just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend Just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah Don't need a whore I don't need no booze Don't need a virgin priest But I need some one I can cry to I need someone to protect Ooh, making love and breaking hearts, it is a game for youth But I'm not waiting on a lady I'm just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend Just waiting on a friend Waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend I'm just waiting on a friend, waiting on a friend Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah Songwriters: Keith Richards / Mick Jagger

Well a venting of sorts

People suck and once again I got sucked in to that Black Hole I had written about. All I was doing was looking for a friend and someone to hang with and I was a stupid dumbass blinded by someone 20 years younger with a smile that melted my heart. I looked into your eyes and you not once told me you had someone that you have now called your SO. I told you I don't get angry anymore and that is true but I don't like my heart getting ripped out. This is how I heal by writing about my feelings and how I am affected by what went down. Did I say I am a dumbass. I'm just glad that I have lots o money or I might be more upset then I am because I am out almost $450 in tickets and $500 in a chain and necklace that I would not of given you if I had known your truth. In the end I hope you are hurting but I suspect now that will not be the case but I can dream lol. Take care my little Alabama Getaway and next time try not to use the kind and gentle old guy who talked to you when you sat down next to him. We will always have Mexico. For future reference put on your social media that you have an SO as there is nothing what so ever there and it just might avoid a heartbreak. "Box of Rain" Words by Robert Hunter; music by Phil Lesh Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission. Look out of any window any morning, any evening, any day Maybe the sun is shining birds are winging or rain is falling from a heavy sky - What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through? this is all a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago Walk out of any doorway feel your way, feel your way like the day before Maybe you'll find direction around some corner where it's been waiting to meet you - What do you want me to do, to watch for you while you're sleeping? Well please don't be surprised when you find me dreaming too Look into any eyes you find by you, you can see clear through to another day I know it's been seen before through other eyes on other days while going home -- What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through? It's all a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago Walk into splintered sunlight Inch your way through dead dreams to another land Maybe you're tired and broken Your tongue is twisted with words half spoken and thoughts unclear What do you want me to do to do for you to see you through A a box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through Just a box of rain - wind and water - Believe it if you need it, if you don't just pass it on Sun and shower - Wind and rain - in and out the window like a moth before a flame It's just a box of rain I don't know who put it there Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare But it's just a box of rain or a ribbon for your hair Such a long long time to be gone and a short time to be there Such a long long time to be gone, such a short time to be.

That time once again

I know I was being presumptuous when I sent you what I sent. I found someone who I thought liked what I liked and was fun to be around. I didn't ask for you to do anything and left it at that. I was only looking for a friend who I could travel with and be on my arm "Looks Like Rain" Words by John Perry Barlow Barlow has posted his lyrics Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission I woke today And felt your side of bed The covers were still warm where you'd been layin'. You were gone... My heart was filled with dread. You might not be sleepin' here againvel w [Chorus:] It's alright, 'cause I love you. And that's not gonna change. Run me round, make me hurt again and again. But I'll still sing you love songs Written in the letters of your name. And brave the storm to come, For it surely looks like rain. Did you ever waken to the sound Of street cats makin' love And guess from their cries You were listenin' to a fight? Well, you know... Hate's just the last thing they're thinkin' of. They're only trying to make it through the night. [Chorus:] I only want to hold you. I don't want to tie you down. Or fence you in the lines I might have drawn. It's just that I've gotten used to Havin' you around. My landscape would be empty If you were gone. [Rain, rain, go away...]

Still here

Sup world, I'm still here and free of cancer. I have even allowed myself to be sucked down into a black hole being stopped just short of the event horizon. Time is moving really really slow and I am wanting to step out and away from the edge. Life is good but it could be better. Rant mode on. It really does suck big hairy balls (unless you are into that sort of thing, not I) to be married for health insurance, money and not for companionship and love. It's been so fucking long, will you ever forgive me for my transgressions that you were 50% of. I have needs that you are unwilling to even consider. At least when the time comes I know I will be able to survive hell because I survived being married to you and if that's not hell I don't know what is.

Fuck Cancer

All I ever wanted was to be left alone to live, pretty fucking ironic me thinks. Being told ones expiration date really really sucks. When you die so do your dreams, few have the means to fulfill those dreams in their lifetimes. Well I had a good life for the most part, did things that others never will nor would they understand if told. A few more thoughts and rants, I really wanted to live forever. Between the books, movies and medical science we were led to believe that we could live forever. Now I get to rely on modern organized religion which I do have a problem with. Don't ever say I am in a better place as I am not as I will be fucking dead and not here with everyone who is still alive. Why is there so much pain in life. I am alive, you are alive we do not need constant or near constant pain to remind us of the fact that we are alive. Your hobbies and the things you enjoyed most will be tossed aside no one in your family does the things you do nor have the passions that you alone have. I can't believe I am writing about the end of my life. I know it will come across as cliche but the things I still wanted to do and the days I will not get to have. The book is almost finished and only a few are aware I ever existed.

Jack O' Roses

Jack O' Roses Lyrics: Robert Hunter Music: Jerry Garcia, [Brian Lesh] This is the seventh song in Robert Hunter's Terrapin Station Suite. It was never played by the Grateful Dead, though Hunter credits the music to Jerry Garcia (note 1). Hunter himself recorded it on his LP "Jack O' Roses" (never issued as a CD). What makes your sweet breast heave, my dear your bright eyes fill with tears? Did Jack O' Roses leave you here those seven lonely years? Had you fear he might be dead unwept in some far land? Or worse that love itself had fled betrayed both heart and hand? (note 2) Jack O' Roses with a fan East of Eden turned built his castles in the sand and all their bridges burned (note 3) Wait for him (note 4) Don't take no other no demon lover who'll be gone at dawn Did you throw your fan too far this time? Well, well, well ... from the lion's den to the morning star to the gates of Hell! The morning star rose into hell three days to shine on Moses and from his solitary cell to free the Jack O' Roses He sprang to saddle like wind, I allow (note 5) for bridle strains of lightning Ride, ride, ride, though tempest howl cruelly and most frightening (note 6) For at the dawn fair Terrapin arose like revelation The morning star reflected in the windows of Terrapin Station Terrapin (note 7) If anyone should ask of you who made this song say the Jack O' Roses and all who played along who rise, climb, fall to win Terrapin What have we to lose from love except what lacks foundation Words can only carve the space we fill with expectation The lion's den lies far behind (note 8) in visions of the damned Jack O' Roses one more time My lady, here's your fan (note 9) Terrapin let me rise, let me fall, let me climb, let me crawl but let me in Accept this fan as a token of what I meant to do for I really do love you

It's the dreaming that's real

Once again I find myself dreaming of you Mon Amour. In my dreams you are the one I let get away which is troublesome as I was the one who left you. You are always just out of reach and it's my own fault as I had you once all to myself for the rest of our lives and I let you go all in the name of doing the right thing. I had you, you were mine and I was yours if only for a small bit of time but it was the happiest I have ever been. I do regret what I did and how people were hurt and this shows up in my dreams as to always being on the outside looking in and never quite connecting with you, fuck that is frustrating some days. I hope you are happy and maybe fate will have us crossing paths one day. I miss you, I really really do. Out on the road in West Marin In a cloud of dust I met two djinn One was bright as pride and thin The other was fat and black as sin Isn't this how all good tales begin The big one looked a lot like you The other one looked just like you too They wound me round, they ran me through A score of lies they swore were true Isn't that what genies always do Night come sudden, dawn be soon Bide my time by the dark of the moon My strange heroes lead me on But when I get there they'll be gone Ever since I was a pup Deal was I'd sing before I'd sup My silver spoon's this beggar's cup And when it's empty I fill up All I have to do is just show up The prophet said all flesh is grass He had a soul like old stained glass A smile as sweet as sasafrass Well that ol' boy can kiss my ass Who the hell can wait for life to pass [chorus] I'm going to Adam's home in a world that we can't see To sing drunk with the angels, play again for free The way that is no way is calling you to me If we don't believe together, we might just cease to be Way down by the shining gate The djinn revealed to me my fate You and I, we've got a date I'll be there, but you'll be late Maybe things really comes to those that wait Those two djinn they couldn't stay Chased away by dawn's first rays They called back as they ran away They told me, "Have a real fine day" Isn't that what genies always say? [chorus] [chorus] A short while back the door flung wide We all saw good luck on the other side The door blew shut but here's the deal Dreams are lies, it's the dreaming that's real It's the dreaming that's real Dreams are lies, it's the dreaming that's real Dreaming that's real It's the dreaming that's real Dreaming that's real Dreaming that's real Dreaming that's real [etc]

What the Fuck

I really have to say what the fuck is wrong with people today. I also want to say a big Fuck You and Fuck Off to two of my three kids. When me and the wife should be enjoying ourselves and doing things for us we get shit on again by our kids. Sven was nice knowing you and I am sorry for my fucking piece of shit daughter for what she has done to you, she was not raised by us to be this way. Justin, Fuck You for bringing your shit and fucked up life into our lives. What makes you think I want your shit in my world. I know now I should of bought that fucking island in the stream so as to get away from all of you assholes who are harshing my mellow.

Most of the time

"Most Of The Time" Most of the time I'm clear focused all around Most of the time I can keep both feet on the ground I can follow the path I can read the sign Stay right with it when the road unwinds I can handle whatever I stumble upon I don't even notice she's gone Most of the time. Most of the time it's well understood Most of the time I wouldn't change it if I could I can make it all match up I can hold my own I can deal with the situation right down to the bone I can survive and I can endure And I don't even think about her Most of the time. Most of the time my head is on straight Most of the time I'm strong enough not to hate I don't build up illusion 'til it makes me sick I ain't afraid of confusion no matter how thick I can smile in the face of mankind Don't even remember what her lips felt like on mine Most of the time. Most of the time she ain't even in my mind I wouldn't know her if I saw her She's that far behind Most of the time I can even be sure If she was ever with me Or if I was ever with her Most of the time I'm halfway content Most of the time I know exactly where it went I don't cheat on myself I don't run and hide Hide from the feelings that are buried inside I don't compromise and I don't pretend I don't even care if I ever see her again Most of the time.

Someone Like You

I heard that you settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,"
Yeah.

You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

My heart does hurt every day for the one I love and left

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

I've seen love go by my door
It's never been this close before
Never been so easy or so slow.
Been shooting in the dark too long
When somethin's not right it's wrong
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Dragon clouds so high above
I've only known careless love,
It's always hit me from below.
This time around it's more correct
Right on target, so direct,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Purple clover, queen anne lace,
Crimson hair across your face,
You could make me cry if you don't know.
Can't remember what I was thinkin' of
You might be spoilin' me too much, love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Flowers on the hillside, bloomin' crazy,
Crickets talkin' back and forth in rhyme,
Blue river runnin' slow and lazy,
I could stay with you forever
And never realize the time.

Situations have ended sad,
Relationships have all been bad.
Mine've been like verlaine's and rimbaud.
But there's no way I can compare
All those scenes to this affair,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm doin',
Stayin' far behind without you.
Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm sayin',
Yer gonna make me give myself a good talkin' to.

I'll look for you in old honolulu,
San francisco, ashtabula,
Yer gonna have to leave me now, I know.
But I'll see you in the sky above,
In the tall grass, in the ones I love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Two nights rolled into one

Going to fill in some of the blanks with one post.

Woke up at 4:30 on Monday morning to get a leg up on my first views of Jupiter. There it is was making it way up to the east. Four moons were visible with two on each side. Had quite a bit of atmosphere and the ep's have seen better days but was a joy to look at the Jovian Giant of our solar system through the C8. I managed to knock off four globular clusters before it became too light to play, M4,M80, M62 and M19.

So went out after dark and setup to grab a few looks. Found what I thought was Ceres and went and woke up Donna to show her. The reason I and she confirmed this as Ceres as it was not a pinpoint of light when focused but showed as a reflected object and did not look like a star. Next up was M104, the Sombrero Galaxy. Spent time using the different ep's and we were able to pick out the dark line of dust using averted view. Brought in NGC 4699 and NGC 4697, fuzzies of different sizes basically. Moved to M64 the Blackeye Galaxy and could only resovle so much. Last up was M5 to show what a globular looked like once again.

A big list from the next night 3/31 as I worked on the Virgo Cluster. Looked at 15 Messier's and a few NGC's. Will do these in my next post.

Sunday Hike

We went for hike up into Sabino Canyon State Park. Wanted to do something different so we headed up Phoneline Trail but took the turn at Blacketts Ridge Trail. It turned out to be a pretty much straight up with switchbacks. Saw a couple of different lizards, not sure what species. Also encountered quite a few blooming cactus and took some pics of those. Five hour and 5.6 miles not a bad Sunday hike.

Saturday night viewing.

Earth Night 2009, 03/28/2009.

There were many options for viewing going on this evening with the AAMM up north of Tucson, Flandrau on the grass at the U of A, SAS down in Arivaca and TAAA setup at Sabino Canyon. We did go up to Sabino and although I wanted to setup I kind of got the feeling that we were not welcome to setup, only hangout and view. We are going to join TAAA we just have to spend our limited funds wisely until I can come up with a job. So we decided to setup at home and observe both Earth Night and the sky from outside our condo as this afforded us the most scope time. But first, time for dinner lol, I cooked Panko coated Tilapia in the skillet using EVOO, Donna cooked some Red Potato's with EVOO and garlic. As dinner was cooking I setup the telescope on the west side of the condo right outside our bedroom. Using this time to allow the scope to cool down but we did get in some good views of the crescent moon during this time.

Now that dinner was out of the way and it was very good if I do say so myself, but onto the meat of the evening. Shut down everything in the house including the computer in anticipation of the lights out from 8:30 to 9:30 rolling blackout. I did cheat though as I had the laptop and telescope plugged in outside so as to be able to track and also run Stellarium to get RA/Dec settings for the various objects were were going to look at this night.

I knew this was the night to look at Messier objects and so we started with M45 The Pleiades and then moving to M42 and M43 the Nebula's in Orion and as much as I try I can not get NGC 1977 to show. Pulled in NGC 1981 an open cluster just above M42 and M43.

Was time to move south and I did an RA/Dec alignment on Sirius to view some of the clusters around Canis Major. M41, M46, M47, M93 and M50. I know a lot was missed but lights to the south make it had to see some nights. We did take a walk up the road to see if the dimming of the lights in Tucson were noticeable and could not really tell but I do feel that there was a slight dimming of the glow overall but that is just my opinion.

Turned the scope around to the north and used Alkaid the star in Ursa Major that is at the end of the handle to do a RA/Dec alignment. Time to go galaxy hunting. First up was M82 (mag 8.4) also called The Cigar Galaxy. M81 (mag 6.9) Bode's Galaxy was next to be seen. Both of these were looked at with all the ep's. Staying in this part of the sky but moving to the east next up was M101 (mag 7.7) the Pinwheel Galaxy. Next up was M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy and this one is nice because you can see both NGC 5195 (mag 9.6) and NGC 5194 (mag 8.4) that make up M51. M63 (mag 8.6) the Sunflower Galaxy was on tap, from there it us a small jump to M94 (mag 8.2) galaxy in Canes Venatici. Things got a little dimmer with NGC 4449 (mag 9.4) galaxy being a faint fuzzy in the ep. To round out the circle of galaxies was M106 (mag 8.3).

Time for some Globular's. Went to Arcturus to get a RA/Dec alignment and went to M53 (mag 7.7) and M5 (mag 6.4) globular clusters. It is amazing the view you get of these when they are focused in and you advert your eye to use the rods of your eye to really pull in the faint points of light. M5 (mag 7.7) globular cluster was next followed by M64 (mag 8.4) the Black-eye Galaxy. Moved to NGC 5466 (mag 9.1) globular.

Izar a star in Bootes is actually a dbl with star A being mag 4.7 and star B a mag 7.0 with only 6.9" of separation. It took the 17mm and 1.8x barlow for a 216x magnification to show the separation. Donna had to use her better eyes to fine tune the focus.

At this point Donna was rather cold as the temp had dropped into the low 50's. She bid me good night as I wanted to spend a little more time out. My time out was spent waiting for M13 (mag 5.9) and M92 (mag 6.9) to get up over the condo roof. Clock said 1:30 after finally getting these two and and it was time to pack up and head inside. I know lots of stuff was missed and they will be added to the list one day soon.

All in all a really great night out looking at the sky, we pulled in 21 Messier objects and 3 NGC's along with a double star. .

A Walk in the Park

After an early dinner last night Donna and I went for a walk in Sabino Canyon. Skies were darkening as we entered the park after the 1/2 mile walk to get there. So this night I decided to only bring my camera and no accessories which 99 out of a hundred times I do but I digress here lol. As we are walking up the main road I look to the west and there is but a bare sliver of a crescent moon about 20 degrees or so above the horizon and I do the slap myself in the back of the head move. I knew that I really needed my tripod to do the scene justice as it was getting darker and darker by the minute. It was a pretty site with the Saguaros showing up against the dimming reds, oranges and blues of the western sky. Found a sign and decided to try and take a few pictures, not ideal mind you but for fast and dirty they are ok.

The sky was looking clear but light polluted as is the case even up here. I set up the telescope in a different spot tonight as there are cars now parked in my usual place across the parking lot. Ran my extension cord and covered up the lights with boxes and preceded to look once again at M42 using all the ep's and the barlow. Next I went to M41 the open cluster under Sirius and did a wide field view with the 40mm lens. Decided to pull out the binos and look at M46 and M47 as the sky was almost to bright to find my pointer stars and align the scope as it is a manual mount. I did manage to bring in and find M93 a 6.2 mag open cluster with the telescope. It has a few bright stars close by making it easy to get close to and then do a quick back and forth until it pops into the ep. I know I could be doing a RA/Dec find using the wheels on the scope but I had only done a point to what I thought is north alignment. Next up was Saturn and I spent quite a bit of time using all the ep's and barlow once again. Tonight Saturn had a moon to the right in the ep that was close to Satrun and about halfway between the rings and top of the planet in the ep. As my location did not afford me a view of the north I had limited options and chose M3 a globular cluster and once again spent quite a bit of time using all the ep's. It is way cool to have an RA motor that allows the scope to really settle down and let the faint stars resolve at higher magnifactions allowing a greater depth of view of the cluster. Went in the condo and got Donna as I felt she should see this cluster. Took the scope back to Saturn so Donna could look at the placement of the moon and decided to call it a night as I did not want to fight the light pollution any more.

Prelude to a Dream

This is actually going to be a pre post from 3/25 as I did some sky gazing. Took the telescope out and put it on the back porch before dark so as to allow the mirrors a chance to cool down. Now mind you I am going outside to observe in less than ideal conditions in the parking lot of our condo but it still affords me a chance to do it close to home.

This time of year I always go to M42 aka Orions Nebula as very soon it will be gone from our sky to not return for many months. Used all the ep's and the barlow to look at the nebula, I can sit there for long periods of time just staring at this wonder of the skies. Next up was Saturn and this year is interesting as the rings are edge on to views from earth, once again I used all of the ep's and barlow.

So I wanted to add to my list of Messier Objects and went on a search and found the following globular clusters M3, M53, M5, M92 and M13. Used the different ep's but did not use the barlow as it is just too light limiting at least from here when going in tight to a globular cluster.

Now it was time to find some Galaxies. First up was M81 and M82, followed by M101 and finishing up with M51. Tried different mixes of the eyepieces but I am limited as to what I can resolve. Note to self, buy some more ep's lol.

As I was sitting out there in the dark minding my own business I had the pleasure of seven Javalena's running around and hanging out. They roamed all around me for a good two plus hours doing what Javalena's do. At first I was a little nervous but as the night went on I became less so. I will say that they are fast and in no way would I be able to out run one if I was being chased.

Until next time.

1st one

Ok, what I want to do here is post my observations of the night sky. My other hobby is photography and I do hike or at least try to every weekend. Walking in the mountains and canyons around Tucson allows me to see many wonderful things. I am not really setup to do any astrophotography but I can take pictures of the night sky and also of landscapes and other outdoor objects. If the sky is clear and most nights in Tucson AZ it is I will set up for either a short viewing or a long one if I can get one in.

All of my night sky viewing until recently had been through a Meade 4.5" f/8 reflector. I have now in my possession an older Celestron C8 Orange Tube with special coatings SCT on an Altazimuth mount with wedge. It has a 2" star diagonal, 40mm, 20mm 1.25" ep's and 26mm, 17mm .965 ep's with a 1.8x Barlow.

So this I think will be quite the ride.