Jason, yup, my thoughts are very similar to yours. I have no idea what exactly these things are that I've seen on several occasions in the Fall of 2011 (and also about a year and a half to two years ago as well), but they're definitely NOT stars.
Also I didn't mention, many of the sightings I mentioned were in the same area in the sky.
Also I didn't mention, many of the sightings I mentioned were in the same area in the sky.