I'm getting closer and closer to a DILD using awareness (though it's really difficult to remember to practice throughout the day)... so I have two questions.

The first is; how do you know if you've remembered the dream? Like, is it possible I've been lucid before and just don't know it? You never remember the beginning of a dream, as far as I can tell, so how do you know WHEN you become lucid, after you've woken up?

Also, how can you wake up from a dream on purpose? I mean, I read about all these techniques to prolong the dream, but if the dream is getting out of control or disturbing me, how can I end it on purpose?

Thanks again, guys; all your advice has been great so far, and the tutorials are fantastic!