Можно ли назвать столетнюю войну самым длинным в истории военным конфликтом?

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Life in the 21st century is fast-paced and ruled by mobile phones, the Internet and gadgets, so it’s easy to understand why some people long to go back to the simpler times of the past. Meet Joanne Massey who is living in a 1950s time warp!

The 1950s were an era of colourful homes, clothes and accessories,

black and white TVs, rock and roll music and traditional values.

Joanne Massey, from Birmingham, England, not only cherishes

these times, but has also chosen to live as people did back then! Her

home is just like a 1950s time capsule with retro décor and second

-hand vintage appliances. Her cooker, which she bought from a

farmer for £32, her radio, bright pink telephone, and metal kitchen

units are all authentic 1950s appliances. Joanne also loves 1950s

fashion and never leaves the house without her 50’s-style bright

lipstick on. “I only ever wear 1950s clothing, such as tight pencil

skirts, with a white blouse and a wide belt,” she says. While

Joanne’s husband Kevin (whom she met at a convention

for 50s fans) has to wear modern clothes for work, he too

likes to relax in a stylish suit and trilby hat at the

weekends. Joanne and Kevin can also be seen driving

around in a 45-year-old Ford Anglia! But why do Joanne

and Kevin live this way?

“I feel I was born in the wrong time,” says Joanne. “When

I was young I’d watch all the old singing stars in the

cinema and dream that I could be like that one day.

Everything modern just seems bland in comparison.”

Joanne says that she also really respects the values of

the 50s, the “make do and mend” attitude that is so

different from our age of throwaway fashion and ever-

changing technology. “I do think the 50s were happier

times,” she says. “Everyone knew everyone else and they

all looked after each other.” Joanne tries hard to bring

this spirit into the 21st century; she bakes cakes for

friends and does shopping and collects pensions for

elderly neighbours. Joanne also can’t stand shopping in

supermarkets and she doesn’t read newspapers as she

finds them too distressing.

While Joanne says she’s happy to be a traditional 50s

housewife, she doesn’t spend all day at home baking

biscuits. She has a successful singing career touring the

UK as a 1940s-style singer called Lola Lamour and she

writes a blog giving 40s and 50s-style shopping and

cleaning tips! She admits to owning some 21st century

conveniences, too, though. Joanne and Kevin have a

laptop, a microwave, a DVD player and a washing

machine, although Joanne tries to keep all these things

out of sight so that they don’t spoil the 1950s feel. Even

the modern TV is hidden inside a 1950s cabinet and they

only watch things like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and

Poirot!

“I admit I am in retreat from the 21st century,” Joanne

says. “When I look at the reality of the world today, with

all the violence, greed and materialism, I shudder. I

don’t want to live in that world. Living like this makes me

happier.”