I was outside my apartment smoking at approximately 3:00am. I walked to the field behind my block to look at the stars, which I normally (always) do. I looked up and I saw what looked like a giant purple/vibrant pink - almost electric - octopus looking cloud in the sky. It wasn't in our atmosphere or anything (at least I think it wasn't). It looked like this was happening at a great distance because it was happening at a distance where you'd normally see starlight. Keep in mind, I do not have the proper scientific background to describe what I saw but I will do my best. :PNow, this giant purple cloud/octopus looking thing was absorbing these little white lights that looked like stars. Near the cloud, these lights would come out of nowhere and travel underneath and inside the cloud. This process kept on repeating itself for more than 45 minutes. I was watching in awe when my buddy from downstairs showed up on his bike. He asked, "What are you staring at?". I simply pointed up and said nothing. He muttered to himself,"Holy $^UT!! What the heck is that thing?". We continued to watch the little stars come outta nowhere and get sucked up by this giant cloud. After a good 45 minutes, we had to walk away. It was late and we could not describe - nor comprehend what we just saw. I've seen several lights in the sky, what we would call your generic "lights-in-the-sky-doing-crazy-things'. I live in Manitoba and you can get a fairly good view of the night sky, especially during the summer "Cabin Season". Seems like the majority of stories I've heard pertain to lights in the sky, not giant cloud-like octopi swallowing newly generated stars out of no where.If other people seen this thing before, it would be a relief. I was fortunate enough to have my buddy show up and see it for himself. The other time I seen lights in the sky, I was by myself. Needless to say, with all these crazy happenings, I upgraded my cellphone (with camera AND video!). I will catch something. I am positive that me and another friend saw the hypothesized "ashen light" from Venus. It was brutally cold, almost -35 celsius when we saw that this past winter. But I digress. Hopefully I will hear back from someone in the near future. Chi-meegwetch (Thank you) for your time,[Name removed/cms/tg] from Winnipeg, MB[Email removed/cms/tg]