Welcome, jsrnash12 !

I don't listen to mucis as I sleep, so I'll skip to question #2. It took me about three weeks after finding this site to have my first LD. Before finding this site I had never heard of Lucid Dreaming. I tried for a few weeks with no success and I started questioning whether this was even real. But then I had my first LD, and I was so excited to know that this was possbible...and especially that it was possible for me.

Like you, dreams had always fascinated me and I had fairly good recall. What helped me the most was reading this site often (the tutorials and other people's experiences), keeping LDing on my mind a lot, and thoughout the day questioning if I were dreaming or awake.

You have a headstart because you already have been keeping a dream journal and have been practicing dream recall. That is definitely a plus, because as you do learn how to lucid dream you will remember so much more.

Good luck...