I've heard of all that, Liontamer. And, I believe it all to be true.

As for being able to control dreams, I also believe that to be true. Granted, I've only pulled it off, once. But, once is enough.

The dream I am referring to is this...

I was walking by a gaming store, looking at games for sale through a glass window. Suddenly, a gang of kids assault me from all directions. Every move I tried to make, they countered for in advance as they beat me up. The dream ended with a threat...of killing me at midnight. (Glad I don't (knowingly) have those kinds of dreams...next to ever.) Well, that kind of dream had me sweating upon waking up. And, so I tried something. Something simple. I told myself over and over that I could control my dreams. (Or, something like that. This was years ago.) And, so the 'midnight' dream came. Only, instead of it being a gang of kids, it was a black outfitted ninja with sword. And, it started a fight. But, I WAS in control and I totally defeated that shadowy enemy with ease.

I have a feeling that I could control more dreams, if need be, if only I had some way of recognizing that it was a dream.