Useless Statistics

Statistics are like a skimpy bathing suit -- they show too much but they hide the most important parts. The following items are from various websites containing odd statistics.

7% of Americans believe Elvis is alive.

9% of Americans reported having been in the presence of a ghost.

10% of frequent flyers never check their luggage when flying.

25% of Americans do not know their astrological sign.

27% of Americans think billboards are beautiful.

27% of American male college students believe life is a meaningless existential hell.

35% of people who use personal ads for dating are already married.

38% of North America is wilderness.

40% of dog & cat owners carry a picture of their pets in their wallets.

40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.

43% of criminals released from prison in the U.S. will be rearrested within a year of being released.

50% of teenage boys say they would rather be rich than smart.

50% of bank robberies occur on Fridays.

51% of turns are right turns.

55% of motor bike accidents happen on the weekend.

55% of Americans know the sun is a star.

55% of men wash their hands after using a restroom.

80% of women wash their hands after using a restroom.

58% of men say they are happier after a divorce or separation.

85% of women say they are happier after a divorce or separation.

57% of British school kids think Germany is the most boring country in Europe.

60% of electrocutions occur while talking on the phone during a thunderstorm.

82% believe in an afterlife.

90% of women who walk into a department store immediately turn to the right.

August is the month when most babies are born.

Statistically, the safest age of life is 10 years old.

Statistically, the odds of being murdered are one in 20,000.

Statistically, in America, one out of 15 people will contract an infection during a hospital stay.

80% of Americans die in a hospital.

By age 65, Americans will have watched more than 9 years of television.

The average American moves 12 times in a lifetime.

The average American looks at 8 houses before actually buying one.

The average person keeps old magazines for 29 weeks before throwing them out.

More people are killed annually by donkeys than are killed in airplane crashes.

Most fatal car accidents occur on Saturday.

Couples who marry in January, February and March have the highest divorce rates.

Globally, about 200 babies are born every minute.

On average, right-handed people live 9 years longer than left-handed people.

13 people per year are killed by vending machines falling on them.

More people fear spiders than death.

You are more likely to be killed by a champagne cork than by a poisonous spider.

Americans eat an average of 18 acres of pizza daily

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would produce enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

If you fart consistently for 6 years and 9 months, you would produce the energy of an atomic bomb.

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I was born in August (month of most frequent births) -- I know my astrological sign (Leo) -- I have lived at over 50 addresses in 12 states (much more than average) -- I wash my hands after using the restroom -- I do not carry photos of my dogs in my wallet -- when I walk into a department store I walk straight ahead until I can figure out which direction to take -- no woman has ever hurled footwear at me.

Statistically, I'm a walking contradiction beyond the norm, where I'm comfortable with life and my eccentricities.

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Quote for the Day -- “Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.” Mark Twain

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Bret Burquest is the author of 10 books. He lives in the Ozark Mountains with a couple of dogs and where 111,111,111 times 111,111,111 equals 12,345,678,987,654,321.

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Where All is One

"We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home." Australian Aboriginal Proverb

All is one.

Every human being is a self-contained unit with a conscience of their own. An individual's thoughts and feelings are hidden within them, unexposed to all other human beings unless we wish to expose them or we choose to mask them by openly presenting a different set of thoughts and/or feelings.

Therefore, every human being is an island -- alone within their individual self -- at one with oneself.

Every individual human being is a distinct soul within the community of souls -- where all is one.

The Community of Souls, where all is one, is a distinct living entity within the Universe -- where all is one.

The Universe is a living entity, where all is one, within all that exists beyond the Universe -- where all is one.

I am a rock…

I am an island…

and a rock feels no pain…

and an island never cries.

(Lyrics by Paul Simon)

I am a rock on Bret Island -- with several dogs and an imaginary girlfriend named Tequila Mockingbird.

Mother Earth is a spinning orb of ignorance, suffering, injustice, pain and materialism, where the duality of good and evil must be overcome with a unity consciousness -- a body of unconditional love within Oneness.

Once you comprehend the perfection of the imperfection of earthly pleasure and pain, you are able to move on to higher realms, where harmony in spirit resides.

Our purpose in life is to discover our purpose within the Great Mystery.

Life is good -- it's just not easy.

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Quote for the Day -- "There is pain in separateness and peace in oneness." Guruji Krishnananda

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Bret Burquest is the author of 10 books. He lives in the Ozark Mountains with a couple of dogs and where after you achieve Oneness you can move on to Twoness.

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Astrology 101

The basis of astrology is that there is a correlation between the universe and human experience. It is the "science" of electromagnetism perceived before its time.

“Astrology is assured of recognition from psychology, without further restrictions, because astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity.” Carl Jung

Your astrological sun sign determines your basic character and the position of the planets on your date of birth determine your pattern of behavior.

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ARIES -- (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

SYMBOL -- the Ram -- assertive, courage, able to climb to great heights

RULING PLANET -- Mars -- ancient god of war & aggression -- denotes competition & passion

ARIES PERSON -- enthusiastic, outgoing, often dramatic -- full of ideas & plans, intense desire to succeed -- self-oriented, impulsive, adventurous, accepts challenges with bravado -- -- feelings of insecurity & inadequacy -- restless, lack of patience for details, impulsive, erratic -- easily angered but this emotion will be quickly forgotten with no grudges

ARCHANGEL -- Camael -- archangel of love -- engenders love, assertiveness & confidence -- focus on courage, passion

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Leo, Sagittarius

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Cancer (too moody), Libra (too indecisive), Capricorn (too conservative)

LUCKY DAY -- Tuesday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 1 & 9

FAMOUS ARIES -- Warren Beatty, Marlon Brando, Doris Day, Steve McQueen, Joan Crawford

TAURUS -- (Apr 21 - May 21)

SYMBOL -- the Bull -- strong, stubborn, fierce & gentle

RULING PLANET -- Venus -- goddess of pleasure & beauty -- denotes practicality & reliability

TAURUS PERSON -- earthy, shy, attuned to nature, practical -- materialistic, possessiveness, likes comfort, luxury, beauty, high-end goods -- yearns for stability & security -- self-conscious, temperamental, anxious, must learn patience

ARCHANGE -- Hagiel -- engenders practicality & reliability -- focus on beauty, love, grace, music

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Virgo, Capricorn

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aquarius (too much change), Leo (too proud), Scorpio (too scheming)

LUCKY DAY -- Friday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 4 & 6

FAMOUS TAURUS -- Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Shirley Temple, Willie Nelson, Jack Nicholson

GEMINI -- (May 22 - Jun 22)

SYMBOL -- the Twins -- duality, communication, versatility, responsiveness

RULING PLANET -- Mercury -- ancient messenger of the gods -- denotes cleverness & temperament

GEMINI PERSON -- gifted, clever, generous, restless, uptight, easily bored -- thirst for knowledge which is often kept within -- need for variety may cause scattered energy & nervous exhaustion

ARCHANGEL -- Raphael -- archangel of healing -- engenders adaptability & being social -- focus on intelligence, communication, travel

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aquarius, Libra

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Virgo (too fussy), Sagittarius (too active), Pisces (too introspective)

LUCKY DAY -- Wednesday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 5 & 9

FAMOUS GEMINI -- Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Bob Dylan, Johnny Depp, Bob Hope

CANCER -- (Jun 23 - Jul 23)

SYMBOL -- the Crab -- impenetrable exterior, soft interior, withdraws within when in danger

RULING PLANET -- Moon -- denotes intuition & emotions

CANCER PERSON -- Complex, sympathetic, unpredictable, tenacious, temperamental -- appear passive but underneath are extremely emotional & often depressed -- need to balance emotions -- possessive, loyalty, relationships are extremely important -- long for intimacy but emotions create mistrust

ARCHANGEL -- Gabriel -- engenders sensitivity & sympathy -- focus on intuition, dreams, feelings

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Pisces, Scorpio

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aries (too insensitive), Capricorn (too earthy), Libra (too silly)

LUCKY DAY -- Monday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 3 & 7

FAMOUS CANCER -- Princess Diana, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Nancy Reagan

LEO -- (Jul 24 - Aug 23)

SYMBOL -- the Lion -- regal, proud, brave, domineering

RULING PLANET -- the Sun -- denotes authority & vitality

LEO PERSON -- competitive, brave, proud, seek approval & being in the limelight, extravagant, vain -- warmth & generous toward loved ones -- intensely individual, belief in taking action

ARCHANGEL -- Michael -- engenders generosity & openness -- inspires seekers of higher truths & hidden knowledge, aids in protection & communication

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Sagittarius, Aries

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aquarius (too passionless), Scorpio (too calculating), Taurus (too willful)

LUCKY DAY -- Sunday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 8 & 9

FAMOUS LEO -- Bill Clinton, Madonna, Martha Stewart, Amelia Earhart, Robert Redford

VIRGO -- (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

SYMBOL -- the Virgin -- Modesty, conscientiousness, purity, service to others & oneself

RULING PLANET -- Mercury -- ancient god of commerce -- denotes intelligence & high temperament

VIRGO PERSON -- hardworking, strong willed, helpful, dependable, ambitious, methodical with attention to detail -- sensitive, purity of purpose, care for others --  often shy & modest, working quietly behind the scenes -- fussiness, fault-finding, indecisive

ARCHANGEL -- Raphael -- archangel of healing -- engenders an analytical mind & efficiency -- focus on intelligence, communication, coping with sudden changes

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Capricorn, Taurus

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Gemini (too unreliable), Pisces (too moody), Sagittarius (too irresponsible)

LUCKY DAY -- Wednesday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 3 & 5

FAMOUS VIRGO -- Mother Teresa, Stephen King, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Confucius

LIBRA -- (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

SYMBOL -- the Scales -- balance, equilibrium, justice, charm

RULING PLANET -- Venus -- goddess of love & beauty -- denotes luxury & self-indulgence

LIBRA PERSON -- social, charming, lover of harmony, avoid conflict, need a stable environment -- logical, diplomatic, idealist, seeing both sides of an issue, emphasis on communication -- narcissistic, seeking admiration, long for love

ARCHANGEL -- Hagiel -- engenders the traits of being harmonious & diplomatic -- focus on beauty, love, grace, music

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aquarius, Gemini

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aries (too aggressive), Cancer (too smothering), Capricorn (too dull)

LUCKY DAY -- Friday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 6 & 9

FAMOUS LIBRA -- Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbara Walters, Mohandas Gandhi, Matt Damon, Will Smith

SCORPIO -- (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

SYMBOL -- the Scorpion -- idealism, emotional, passionate, persistent, unyielding

RULING PLANET -- Pluto -- ancient god of the hidden things -- denotes beginnings & endings

SCORPIO PERSON -- complex, psychic ability, passionate, emotional, paranoid, obsessive, fierce competitor -- loyalty, sense of responsibility -- gladiator spirit, tenacious & ruthless about possessiveness -- lose interest in things & people because of lack of feeling -- self-destructive, jealousness

ARCHANGEL -- Azrael -- a shepherd angel -- engenders intense & powerful personalities -- focus on second sight & prediction

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Cancer, Pisces

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aquarius (too impersonal), Leo (too arrogant), Taurus (too willful)

LUCKY DAY -- Tuesday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 2 & 4

FAMOUS SCORPIO -- Hillary Clinton, George Patton, Prince Charles, Marie Curie, Carl Sagan

SAGITTARIUS -- (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

SYMBOL -- the Archer -- high aims, love of the outdoors, directness

RULING PLANET -- Jupiter -- ruler of the heavens -- denotes abundance & optimism

SAGITTARIUS PEOPLE -- intuition, philosophical, imaginative, creative ideas but difficult putting into practice -- love of life, seeker of freedom, yearn for experience, strong, confident, clever, sense of humor, straightforward, honest -- high-strung, sometimes irritable, opinionated, often tactless

ARCHANGEL -- Zadkiel -- engenders spiritual growth & transformation -- focus on friendliness, fairness, generosity

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Leo, Aries

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Gemini (too shallow), Pisces, (too introverted), Virgo (too fussy)

LUCKY DAY -- Thursday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 5 & 7

FAMOUS SAGITTARIUS -- Frank Sinatra, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Winston Churchill, Margaret Mead

CAPRICORN -- (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

SYMBOL -- the Goat -- steadiness, able to ascend the heights

RULING PLANET -- Saturn -- presiding over sowing & reaping -- denotes limitation & discipline

CAPRICORN PEOPLE -- cautious, responsible, determination, strong willpower, organized, self-sufficient -- seeker of certainty & control -- can be pessimistic, feelings of insecurity, worry about relationships & possessions

ARCHANGEL -- Asariel -- engenders caution & responsibility -- focus on intuition & imagination

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Taurus, Virgo

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Aries (too erratic), Cancer (too dispirited), Libra (too insincere)

LUCKY DAY -- Saturday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 2 & 8

FAMOUS CAPRICORN -- Elvis Presley, Martin Luther King Jr., Joan of Arc, Tiger Woods, Joan Baez

AQUARIUS -- (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

SYMBOL -- the Water Bearer -- friendliness, pours out truth & giving to the world

RULING PLANET -- Uranus -- first ruler of the universe -- denotes science & change

AQUARIUS PEOPLE -- independent, outgoing, amiable, humanitarian, earnest, highly developed mind -- progressive, liberal, high ideals -- people oriented, people watcher -- insecure, secretly shy, dislike personal relationships

ARCHANGEL -- Uriel -- engenders idealism & humanitarianism -- focus in life path & soul mission

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Gemini, Libra

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Leo (too rigorous), Scorpio (too possessive), Taurus (too somber)

LUCKY DAY -- Wednesday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 1 & 7

FAMOUS AQUARIUS -- Oprah Winfrey, Charles Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, Yoko Ono, Paul Newman

PISCES -- (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

SYMBOL -- Two Fishes -- compassion, hidden depths, shifting emotions, conflicting desires

RULING PLANET -- Neptune -- ancient god of the sea & illusion -- denotes mystery & deception

PISCES PEOPLE -- intense feelings, high intellect, idealistic, resourceful, kind, understanding sympathetic toward others, generous, romantic, sensitive, self-sacrificing -- influenced by surroundings, act & react based on feelings, can be moody & irritable

ARCHANGEL -- Asariel -- engenders caution & responsibility -- focus on intuition & imagination

COMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Cancer, Scorpio

INCOMPATIBLE SIGNS -- Gemini (too restless), Sagittarius (too improvised), Virgo (too blunt)

LUCKY DAY -- Friday

LUCKY NUMBERS -- 2 & 6

FAMOUS PISCES -- Albert Einstein, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Michelangelo, Jean Harlow

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Quote for the Day -- "Millionaires don't use Astrology -- billionaires do." J.P. Morgan

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Bret Burquest is the author of 10 books. He lives in the Ozark Mountains with a couple of dogs, and where Archangel Michael occasionally shares higher truths, hidden knowledge and local weather forecasts.

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