Hi, im new here, and im very interested in lucid dreams, as well as dream recall.
Ive been losing my dreams for a long while now, a few years id say. The last dream i could remember fully was back when i was about 14, and it was pretty ridiculously out of the ordinary. Perhaps i might describe it once...

Anyway, Ive started working on my dream recall using a journal. I understand the REM stage and have previously experienced waking from it (to go to the bathroom). I also noticed that when i would wake from an REM stage, the dream was rather vivid in my mind, much like whats described in the tutorials on dream recall. Thus, i kind of know what to expect.

Last night, i set my alarm for 6 hours after my bed time, and it woke me up. I couldnt recall my whole dream, for my alarm was going on and on. I reached to shut it off and by the time i had picked up my dream journal, the only thing i still had in my mind worth writing down was:

-Joy mixed with fear or strong excitement and a sense of purpose
-Princess Zelda (i laughed rather hard this morning upon rereading my notes)

Note that i write my dreams down in notes, in order to elaborate later on. Anyway, i realized that most of my dream slipped away before i could rebuild it in my mind because i was distracted (and rather annoyed) by the buzzing alarm. The thoughts of the alarm as well as the movements to turn it off made me lose my train of dream. Only the feelings as well as a key element remained in my memory.

So, my first question to you dreamers is: can you recommend a way of waking up at the right moment without having anything to distract you while you recall your dream and get ready to pen it down?
I guess some alarm clock would be fine, but one that rings only a couple of times and then stops, to allow the mind to focus solely on the dream at hand.

Ive considered this, but failed to find such an alarm in my house. Im kinda reluctant to going and buying a dozen alarm clocks in the hope that one of them actually stops buzzing once youve woken up.
Anyhow, im glad to be part of the dream explorers and i am looking forward to developing dream recall as well as practicing lucid dreaming.

Take care and dream well,
A noob dreamer
Spliph