I don't know how many stars are out there in the galaxy, but I can tell you that the brightest star in the sky is said to be Sirius, which is in the constellation Canis Major. It is 8.4 light years away. It is only considered the brightest star only because it is so close.
Another interesting fact about stars is that they seem to be different in temperatures. The astronomers say that the more red a star is the cooler it is, and ones that are blue are the hottest ones. So red stars temperature might be 3,000 degrees, but the blue/white stars have a temperature closer to 50,000 degrees.
They say that some of the old stars can be very cool, and thus appear very red, because they are huge in size. But then again they say that not all red stars are huge and not all huge stars are red. There are stars that are huge that are bluer and hotter than others, and there are red stars that are smaller than the sun.
What I think is so amazing to see is the Northern Lights, know by us in the northern hemisphere, and know as the Aurora Australis, in the southern hemisphere. When those muli-colored streaks and displays move across the sky it is so beautiful. I like going on a web search to see the pictures put up by astronomers that practice the art of astrophotography, which is taking pictures of the stars and the sun, and the moon, and all the planets.
This hobby is great because when you start thinking about whats out there in space, you can forget for a while the problems and the pain, you feel here at home. I get together with friends and we gaze upward trying to pick out the different constellations and always ever watchful for falling stars and UFO's. It is a great party theme.
And yes you are right, I think when you start thinking about the space and its content, you really tend to forget your daily surroundings. It is indeed a great hobby ! Keep up with the good work!