You could also get this power nap kit which I just ordered since I sometimes have trouble falling asleep. I'm still in the middle of transition, and I'm convinced that in order to complete it, I need to tackle the problem from both ends. 1) I need to make the naps more restful and 2) I need to stop the oversleeps. One contributes to the other in a vicious cycle. Hopefully it will help me to fall asleep faster. I also ordered a couple other ones, so I'll compare all three.

That's a great idea! You just reminded me that I had the same idea for Warcraft 3 to keep me awake when I'm getting tired when I start the adjustment period. I have to be careful with that game currently though. I certainly can't play right before bed. It's more stimulating than a cup of coffee and will keep me up for hours after playing. It requires total concentration and focus to be engaged, less I sink hopelessly behind and lose any chance of winning. Sometimes I get so much energy while I'm playing that my hand starts shaking so uncontrollably that I have trouble using the mouse. :-P

Just because an analysis of polyphasic sleep has been done by a "scientist" does not mean that it's honestly critical. As a case in point, Steve Pavlina linked to an article in which polyphasic sleepers were refered to as "mutants." What I find most amusing is the claim to know what the long term effects of polyphasic sleep are when there have not been any investigations into its long term effects thus far.

As for the dream, I first thought of Waking Life also because that's the only place I distinctly remember seeing the "light test." In general dream interpretation, when the setting of your dream is in full light, then the dream usually symbolizes something that is in full consciousness in your waking life while a darkly lit dream indicates something that is hidden in your unconscious. Perhaps that would be the reason why you can't change the lighting in your dream as it would alter the symbolism.