My problem, plain and simple, is remembering to be aware, to question reality, etc etc. School, music, work, it all has a way of taking over.

So the other day I got a set of custom-embossed dogtags. On each tag it says EXTRACTOR. And here is my plan to use them for multiple techniques at once without needing that much readjustment to my life.

First off, they work as reality checks. Am I wearing them, am I not? Did I forget to put them on? Could I be dreaming? If I am wearing them, does the text on both read the same?

Second, they work as reminders to keep questioning reality. It's not the time it takes to do so that is the problem, it's remembering to do it in the first place. Every time I think about the necklace I take three seconds tops and do reality checks and maybe a brief session of all-day awareness. And they're effective too.

Third, it's fun to role-play. If you pretend, even believe you are something, especially a Lucid Dreamer, then it happens. That's why they say EXTRACTOR on them If you don't know what this means, go watch Inception a few times.

So there's my method. I don't believe it will work as well with bracelets or other "totems" since they're easier to get used to and ignore.

And anyway I've only been at it for two days, and have barely even worn the dogtags so far (a suit and tie doesn't exactly go well with them) but I've already had one lucid dream from this little technique. I was bending over to put a glass in the dishwasher and I tried to grab the dogtags to keep them from flopping around and they weren't there. Reality check, yadayada, lucid dream.

Give it a shot! I got mine for $8 shipped from Amazon. I'd love to hear how well this "totem" works for you.