Welcome to the site Scarlet! To answer your questions:

1) Lucid dreams are very vivid. If you go lucid...you will know it.

2) Becoming lucid doesn't have anything to do with being smart. I am not an idiot, but I wouldn't consider myself extremely smart and I can lucid dream. It just takes practice...and awareness.

I hope you have some success...and show up your dad! Again welcome!