From Ars Technica: a chilling demonstration that even passwords like “qeadzcwrsfxv1331” can be cracked if the web site uses a weak hashing function.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/05/how-crackers-make-minced-meat-out-of-your-passwords/

Takeaways:

1. If you can remember it, it can be cracked.
2. The only passwords that can’t be cracked are fairly long, truly random passwords. (Banging on the keyboard isn’t random.)
3. Never, never, never use the same password on more than one site.

Therefore the only way to really be safe is to store your passwords in a password manager program like KeePass, LastPass or 1Password, and use the program to generate a unique random password for each site.