Hope 2016 isn’t going to go on the way it started with another bad night sleep. So for sanity’ sake, sorting that one out is resolution no 1. Coaxing Bobby the dog to sleep in his own bed may be a start, but I have slept well with him by my side (glued to me in fact) for several years now, so other tacts will be needed. One might be to stop whatever “intellectual” thing I do in my evening a good while before I hit the pillow or take a pen and paper to bed and make notes. For I am sure the need for me not to forget what just came to mind as my eyelids try to close, is one of the reasons I can’t let go. The thing is that list can get quite full with work bits, charity bits, deco bits, and when am I going to get a Sergei Meerkat! (If you’re thinking of changing your insurance, do use comparethemarket.com and get me one, please).  Another reason may be simply reading too late and again filling my brain with activity. Take the night of 30th, I finished a book at 3.40am and couldn’t sleep for another 45mns or so afterwards. I was reading someone I know 1st book “Man Made” and although I don’t normally read science fiction I decided to give it a go. Well you would if you knew the author, wouldn’t you? It would be kind of rude not to. The prologue bit went somewhat over my head but I persevered (for previous reasons) and really got into it. As a 1st book, it’s pretty good and keeps you gripped. So you could do worse that downloading it and giving it a go. (It’s only £1.99). For someone like me who prefers to read autobiographies, travel books and anything on Africa, ie mostly non fiction, it was a strange but welcome escape even if a bit too violent at times. I hope this view of the future remains pure fantasy (although the full development of nanites would be brilliant) but I can see how today’s events and human failures could lead to something as bizarre as the world pictured in Man Made. It also raised a few questions in my mind about what goes on in Jack Hunter’s mind (not his real name). I guess the same could be asked of famous writers of the genre. At least some made a good living from it. So good luck Jack and I can’t wait for the sequel. But I won’t be reading it at night. Now resolution no 2 needs a post of its own, later