An Instagram message, recieved after the bongs of Big Ben sounded to mark Midnight and the year of two thousand and twenty four simply stating "Big year ahead!", perfectly sums up my feelings as January 1st comes to a conclusion.

2024 for me is an important one, knowing of the opportunities which exist and the annoyances which lurk and thus I thought I'd do a bit more of a personal post on what my aims and aspirations are for.

This is not least on the job front, where I feel I am at a stage where I wish to seek long term stability and have opportunities to progress.

I can certainly say that just over 10 months in, the West Midlands Combined Authority has those pathways and I can see that through my role on Commonwealth Games Legacy. I have no doubt too, that I've been helped and encouraged, through some absolutely mighty colleagues who are among the region's best people and makes it an organisation where I can forsee a long future within.

Having that employment security also would help financially and that isn't just for me.

Still being the only one in my immediate family who earns a living has meant a big effort on my part in the last few years, to give my Mum and Younger Brother a hand as we've encountered change on a breathtaking scale. Losing Kieran and two seperate house moves in 2 1/2 months and more besides has made it a bit tricky, so a permance of work for me would no doubt be immensely helpful.

It does feel good that I am contributing - not least with a new Sofa from a well known place almost paid for, but I would also like my first real chance to save and save substanially moving forward and will strive for that, as well as have a trip in Europe somewhere for a few days. With me last having been on the mainland in February 2019, I think I deserve it!

Another major thing I aim to get better at is my phyiscal activity. I may enjoy my running massively, I know what I eat usually isn't the best, which I suspect has made my weight rise somewhat in the last little while and I feel has knocked back such confidence when looking in the mirror.

Thus getting a Gym Membership and sticking to it, which seeks to turn some fat into muscle as well as running even more than just the odd 10K and weekly Parkrun will be critical. I suppose doing Wolverhampton Parkrun's New Year's Day special this morning in my quickest 5K time since August is a good start on that road!

I also have devised a list of 10K's throughout the year; the first of which will most likely be Wolverhampton on March 24th, which euphorically for me starts and finishes at Molineux. Feel free to send me any suggestions you may have.

Of course too, I cannot write this post without mentioning four months tomorrow and my 4th crack at winning a City Council Election. From the first sessions on the doors - in Mid-November, Early December and just last Friday have been encouraging and thus given me a good sense of what to fight for in my campaign in Penn on top of the belief that residents want change.

There is a feeling of uncertainty in the air, but I know that's where positive pursasion must and will come into play, both locally and nationally.

Just 'slagging off' one's political opponents for cheap points won't cut it in this day and age and I won't do that towards whoever my opposition on the ballot paper ends up being.

And from hearing of lots people's issues, I will very much shout about them between now and close of polls on May 2nd, in what a seat and ward that Labour have to win to prove that the party can then do what was deemed as utterly unthinkable just four years ago, whenever the General Election takes place.

For other bits in life generally, transforming my bedroom into a mega comfy place, refreshing my clothing - of which there is a lot and certainly isn't in a wardrobe and some more travelling around the nation (including camping at Silverstone for three or four Race Maker weekends) and the continent will be sought. Perhaps the last bit could be seriously enhanced, if Wolves carry on there excellent form!

Finally, perhaps one other to look at when possible is finding a life partner. My Mum during last year was fairly modest in stating "I hope you can get on with it please. I would like Grandkids someday!" and I have to admit that it send a small shiver down the spine with me over 4 years a singleton aged 26.

As they say Mother, "when it happens, it happens" so I can't promise I will be lucky this year, but I am sure you'll be even more delighted if it does.

I hope all have enjoyed the much needed festive break and you can expect a lot of more from me here (knowing I left this place for dust during 2023), over the coming 12 months.