Monthly Archives: December 2025

Football, Peru, Religion

1978

Daily writing prompt
Share what you know about the year you were born.
View all responses

I was born in 1978. Here are three things I know about this year.

3 Popes

1978 is known as the year of the three popes. Paul VI died in August and the papacy of John Paul I lasted only a month. John Paul II took over in October to become the first Polish pope.

I have a few friends called John Paul, it was a common name for catholic boys in 1978 and maybe 1979. Any John Paul you meet will be be around 46-47 years old.

Liverpool – Back to Back European Cup Winners

Liverpool won the European Cup in 1978, defending the title they had won a year earlier. A goal from Kenny Dalglish was enough to beat Bruges at Wembley.

World Cup 1978

IIn 1978 the football World Cup was held in Argentina. There were some memorable matches, one in particular being Peru v Scotland. Peru won 3-1 with a goal from Cesar Cueto and two from from Teofilo Cubillas. Joe Jordan got a consolation goal for the Scots,

Argentina won the tournament beating Holland 3-1 in the final, but their 6-0 win against Peru was a little suspicious.

So that’s it for 1978.

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Football, Ireland, USA

World Cup Draw

As you know, today is the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s the first time in 24 years that Ireland will be in the draw and the first time in 40 years that Northern Ireland will be in it — but neither have qualified yet.

Too Many Teams

Forty-eight teams and 72 group-stage games just to eliminate 16. It’s going to be a dog’s dinner of a World Cup. With sky-high ticket prices and two sets of fans already banned, it’s shaping up to be a recipe for disaster. What neutral wants to pay upwards of $200 for a ticket to Iran v Haiti on a Wednesday afternoon?

Excess Travel

The distances teams will have to travel between games will make the tournament complex to run and will tire the players involved. The fact that six teams won’t know until March whether they’ve qualified complicates the issue further.

Trump

There is no doubt that Trump wants to make this World Cup his own. That FIFA have been pandering to him is disgraceful; awarding him a peace prize to stroke his ego is absurd. A man accused of supporting atrocities abroad and threatening to invade a sovereign nation in the Caribbean being given a peace prize is beyond ridiculous. Trump’s authoritarian behaviour at home, his aggressive foreign policy, and his desire to make this “his” World Cup will draw parallels with the Summer Olympic Games of 1936. Then too, a racist authoritarian ruler with expansionist ambitions turned a sporting event into a platform for himself.

This is a tournament that, a few months ago, I had little interest in. But Ireland’s performances and results in the last two games have given me hope and optimism for what might be. I don’t think this is going to be a good World Cup, but I’ll watch the draw and look forward to the games to come.

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Christmas/New Year, Family

Autism at Christmas

Christmas is often seen as a joyful time full of friends, family, food, presents, lights, music and shared celebrations. However, the very things that make the season enjoyable can also be challenging for autistic people. Socialising, for example, becomes more intense at Christmas and large family gatherings can feel overwhelming.

Food can be another source of stress for some autistic people. Although Christmas food can be enjoyable, the break from routine and the expectation to try new and intense flavours can be uncomfortable. Even presents can cause anxiety because of the pressure to respond with the “correct” facial expressions and social reactions, which may not come naturally. The idea of sharing and being together can be problematic for autistic people as it conflicts with the need for solitude, especially when stressed

In conclusion, if you are around autistic people this Christmas, be flexible and understanding. Not everybody sees or processes the world in the same way as you.

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