Princess Diana: the Trevor interview

Trevor · August 24, 2017, 06:36:45 AM

I was approached by a local TV company the other day for an interview about ordinary South Africans and how their lives were touched by Princess Diana - I don't know how they knew I was a fan, especially of her humanitarian work - and my bosses gave permission for this. Great: I get to honor my Princess and say how someone I never met touched my life - I am a blood donor and an organ donor because of her - so I was looking forward to it.

Then, the you-know-what hit the fan last week: I was told that I also had to talk about apartheid and how being born in and living in South Africa under those circumstances affected my life.

Umm: I wasn't born here and I only came down here in 1987 and what does SA's political history have to do with the Princess? Needless to say, I rejected the interview with a few smiles and more than a few four letter words.

I hate people with hidden agendas.

Pacman000 · August 24, 2017, 02:46:46 PM

I'm sorry to hear that Trevor. Be glad of one thing: they told you about that line of questioning before the interview.

Newt · August 27, 2017, 08:59:23 AM

How disappointing! Such a letdown, but a good thing you were informed beforehand.

Trevor · August 28, 2017, 02:28:55 AM

Quote from: Pacman000 on August 24, 2017, 02:46:46 PM
I'm sorry to hear that Trevor. Be glad of one thing: they told you about that line of questioning before the interview.

Thanks: they got permission from my bosses to have me speak about the Princess but they left out the political part, sadly.

Trevor · August 28, 2017, 02:33:23 AM

Quote from: Newt on August 27, 2017, 08:59:23 AM
How disappointing! Such a letdown, but a good thing you were informed beforehand.

It was very disappointing indeed: the person who was going to interview me came to my work, saw my books on the Princess and said "What a nice collection!" to which I replied "That isn't even a quarter of it." I have over two hundred books on her alone: most of them not for her at all.

I still haven't calmed down after giving them an earful about their underhanded tactics and reminding them that I am a non-racial person and a proud public servant who cannot talk about politics, past or present.

Allhallowsday · August 28, 2017, 04:42:01 PM

All the nonsense you've experienced from local TV aside, TREVOR, I applaud your devotion to the People's Princess. I myself am a huge admirer of DIANA SPENCER. My sister, like you, has a library devoted to DIANA. DIANA was an exceptional person who was determined to use her fame to better the world. The Lady was brave and beautiful, funny, charming, and full of love and life. It amazes me that the 20th anniversary of her loss is looming and it hurts my heart. We love you DIANA.

Trevor · August 29, 2017, 05:46:27 AM

Quote from: Allhallowsday on August 28, 2017, 04:42:01 PM
All the nonsense you've experienced from local TV aside, TREVOR, I applaud your devotion to the People's Princess. I myself am a huge admirer of DIANA SPENCER. My sister, like you, has a library devoted to DIANA. DIANA was an exceptional person who was determined to use her fame to better the world. The Lady was brave and beautiful, funny, charming, and full of love and life. It amazes me that the 20th anniversary of her loss is looming and it hurts my heart. We love you DIANA.

Thanks AHD: I didn't know that you liked her too.

Other than the fact that I had a little crush on her, I admired the fact that she was able to put her personal issues to one side and assist others less fortunate than herself and she really seemed to give a damn, other than so-called celebrities who are causists, instead of being there for people as she was.

She - like my Dad - remains a positive part of my life and I will always miss her.

Allhallowsday · August 29, 2017, 10:56:41 AM

The more one looks at DIANA's life, the more impressive she is. Publicly embracing the AIDS crisis (and touching sick people - unheard of then) changed the tone of world press regarding the disease. Going into dangerous territory to publicize the plight of land mine victims and the need for care to the overlooked is not only courageous, but inspiring. I am not a fan of the British royal family at all, and confess that a bit is rooted in my own family's history (Irish Catholics) but DIANA changed the way the British monarchy is understood and viewed, and despite criticism, changed it for the better. I admire and love her.

bob · August 29, 2017, 11:25:02 AM

that's incredibly deceptive

I'm sorry Trevor

Trevor · August 30, 2017, 07:29:00 AM

Quote from: Allhallowsday on August 29, 2017, 10:56:41 AM
The more one looks at DIANA's life, the more impressive she is. Publicly embracing the AIDS crisis (and touching sick people - unheard of then) changed the tone of world press regarding the disease. Going into dangerous territory to publicize the plight of land mine victims and the need for care to the overlooked is not only courageous, but inspiring. I am not a fan of the British royal family at all, and confess that a bit is rooted in my own family's history (Irish Catholics) but DIANA changed the way the British monarchy is understood and viewed, and despite criticism, changed it for the better. I admire and love her.

That's cool

Talking about being a fan of royalty, my special sister Maggi used to work with me and she made it clear that she was not a Diana fan but she loved Sarah Ferguson. My reaction was "That's fine." On September 1 1997, I got to work - hugely depressed - and Maggi was standing there and she'd been crying. I asked her what was wrong, she said "Diana died" and I thought this was strange, until she said "I know I didn't like her but I feel like I've lost someone I knew."

Allhallowsday · August 30, 2017, 10:05:31 AM

Quote from: Trevor on August 30, 2017, 07:29:00 AM
...
Talking about being a fan of royalty, my special sister Maggi used to work with me and she made it clear that she was not a Diana fan but she loved Sarah Ferguson. My reaction was "That's fine." On September 1 1997, I got to work - hugely depressed - and Maggi was standing there and she'd been crying. I asked her what was wrong, she said "Diana died" and I thought this was strange, until she said "I know I didn't like her but I feel like I've lost someone I knew."

Who would not be a fan of DIANA yet love Sarah Ferguson?

I would have respected my friend's feelings too, but I sure wouldn't have understood them.

Trevor · August 31, 2017, 06:30:28 AM

Quote from: Allhallowsday on August 30, 2017, 10:05:31 AM
Quote from: Trevor on August 30, 2017, 07:29:00 AM
...
Talking about being a fan of royalty, my special sister Maggi used to work with me and she made it clear that she was not a Diana fan but she loved Sarah Ferguson. My reaction was "That's fine." On September 1 1997, I got to work - hugely depressed - and Maggi was standing there and she'd been crying. I asked her what was wrong, she said "Diana died" and I thought this was strange, until she said "I know I didn't like her but I feel like I've lost someone I knew."
Who would not be a fan of DIANA yet love Sarah Ferguson? I would have respected my friend's feelings too, but I sure wouldn't have understood them.

Oh well, that's my Maggi for you: I love her always.

A_Dubya · September 19, 2017, 01:25:31 PM

The Reptilians that took her out had the darkest hidden agenda.

Trevor · August 11, 2021, 05:10:10 AM

I was thinking about this the other day and realized it was a missed opportunity for me: I should have just told the lady "No political questions" beforehand and left it at that, instead of politely telling her what to go do with herself.