• Predictions 2022 – How did I do?

    Time to see how I did with my predictions at the start of the year.

    Boris Johnson will be replaced with a Prime Minister who is more competent, more right wing and more difficult to beat.

    Well, if we skip lightly over the horror of Liz Truss’s premiership, I’m going to claim this one as fulfilled. Left and right designations in politics mean less as the years go on. Prediction fulfilled.

    A good year for Michael Gove (who is almost invisible at the moment).

    I’m claiming this one too. He’s back in government and less invisible. If you don’t agree, you probably don’t read the Daily Telegraph. Prediction fulfilled.

    Church of Scotland General Assembly votes to allow same-sex couples to be married in church. More significantly, almost no-one leaves in a huff.

    Exactly what happened. Prediction Fulfilled.

    No progress for those seeking marriage equality in the Church of England.

    Sadly. Prediction Fulfilled

    US Republican Party do well at the November midterms.

    Gloriously, prediction unfulfilled.

    Midnight Mass will happen at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow – some people will still be wearing masks but it won’t be mandatory.

    Yes, I did see a few mask wearers but we were getting back to prepandemic levels of attendence and Midnight Mass was a blast. Prediction fulfilled.

    Lots of people discover that cryptocurrency is not the sure thing that they thought. (Losses will disproportionately affect young people).

    Oh my, yes. What a mess some people have got themselves into. Prediction fulfilled.

    Nicola Sturgeon will be forced to announce a proposed date for an Independence Referendum against her better judgement.

    She announed on 23 June 2022 that it would be held on 19 October 2023. (Spoiler alert – it won’t happen on 19 October 2023). Prediction fulfilled.

    Lambeth Conference will take place but some people forced to participate virtually due to continued pandemic in developing world. (No new sanctions against pro-gay provinces).

    Well it took place but I’m not sure whether or not there were virtual participants. However, there were no new sanctions against pro-gay provinces. Prediction largely fulfilled.

    Working from home/hybrid working becomes normalised for big companies. Consequent increase in ransomware demands.

    Working from home is certainly still going on and there are many big companies that are planning for it continuing in some form. (Here’s a government report about it). And yes, ransomware has increased. (Here’s a paper on it from the Chartered Institute of IT).


    I’m guessing that one or two people might want to argue about whether I got this all as right as I think I did – particularly the first two, but not a bad year overall.

6 responses to “Ceilidh! Ceilidh! Ceilidh!”

  1. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Alas, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by Scissor Sisters has almost life-verse significance to me so I probably won’t attend. It does sound fun though. So will you yourself be participating, in robes and all ;-)?

  2. kelvin Avatar

    I shall be robed for Evensong. Gloriously so.

    I shall be also be mustering up a little soft shoe gentle sway at the ceilidh. Gloriously so also.

    Oh, and there is social chat space for those who, like Jake Shears and Ryan, don’t feel like dancin’.

    Yes, and ice-cream too to cheer the soul.

  3. padrerob Avatar

    Blessings on your centennial celebration! It sounds like y’all will be having a wonderful evening!

  4. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Ice cream? Is there no end to the Cathedral’s temptations ;-)?

  5. Dennis Avatar

    Congratulations to St Mary’s. You’ve certainly been in my thoughts today. Twenty years ago today (Whitsunday 1988) I was confirmed at St Mary’s Glasgow by Bp Derek.

    After it was over and done the GU students who had been confirmed gathered at the home of John Turner (the chaplain) for food and drinks. It was the first time I ever tried champagne and I think that I tried a bit too much that day, if I remember correctly.

    Twenty years of Episcopalianism and champagne. I wonder if it is too late to rethink this whole thing?

    Best wishes to St Marys and the people there!

  6. Shynee Shoos Avatar
    Shynee Shoos

    Wot a ceilidh – and the Provostorial Shoes got not just dusted but must have been especially shined for the occasion of a light fandango or ten. ‘Fit for duty’ ? – Emminently !

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