cyclical, stubbornly UN-lucid dreams

[mactombs]

I rarely don't remember my dreams. When I command things to happen, it almost always happens, or I just find a way around it (not the point), but what I find frustrating is that while I am asleep and semi-lucid I seem to have no interest in detaching from the dream. I seem to consistently skirt the edges of full lucidity. It's pretty frustrating. It feels like maybe my concious and subconcious don't want to cooperate.

The only thing I can think of to gain better lucidity is to repeat affirmations before falling asleep. They've worked pretty well for me in the past.

[sashamasha]

my dreaming and ap-ing or what have you is cyclical; I'll have gradually more freedom and "compliant" dreams over several weeks and months, eventually culminating in (increasingly over weeks as well as with each cycle) AP experience(s) which then drop off completely.  During the down side of this approximately 3-month cycle, which is where I am now, I can barely become lucid in dreams, and, as now, I can command things to happen and the characters and materials, things, etc. in my dream could care less, though I feel energetic enough while there, ready to get things cooking.  They barely glance at me with a sniff and keep doing whatever they were doing.  Like union workers being paid on scale or something.  Interestingly, the number 3 has always figured prominently with me since very early childhood-- for somewhat traumatic reasons.  

Does anyone else experience this, or have tricks for getting stubborn dreams lucid?  My usual method is, um, sheer will.