Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Airplanes First, Then Girls?

 

An old Soviet romantic comedy "Небесный тихоход" (Heavenly Slug, 1945) tells a story of three friends, brave pilots and convinced bachelors, who decide that their priority is their job, and they would never, ever, ever, not in a million years, or maybe just not till the end of war, fall in love. Good plan!



We are migratory birds, my friends,
Just one problem with that:
On the land, we didn't have time to get married,
And it's hard to find a wife in the sky!

That's because we're pilots,
The sky is our home.
Airplanes come first,
And only then girls.

That's pretty much what the boys are singing in their happy little song.


You get a tender image in your dreams,
You want to give away your heart forever.
Today, you meet her and fall in love.
And tomorrow, you get an order to leave.

That's because we're pilots,
The sky is our home.
Airplanes come first,
And only then girls.


So not to have this longing on our way,
Remembering the affectionate look,
We decided to not fall in love, my friends,
Even with the prettiest girls.

That's because we're pilots.
The sky is our home.
Airplanes come first,
And only then girls.






I agree! Just look at these toys! Wouldn't you want to play with them? Pure fun. Far from the complicated matters of heart! The song hit the nerve. Its creators, poet Alexei Fatyanov and composer Vasily Solovyev-Sedoi, created many other beautiful songs, both together and independently from one another, but always in that simple yet very touching, powerful way which makes them genuinely loved by generations. Such songs often have characteristics of folk songs and in reality become the songs that people sing not just on the stage, but when they gather with friends and family around the table and have the blood-warming 100 grams to break the barrier between the tough reality they face and tenderness of their souls.


V. Solovyev-Sedoi (on the left) and A. Fatyanov, 1942. 
A. Fatyanov (on the right)

Such songs were especially needed in the darkest times, during the war, and were written plentifully by Russian song writers, as well as movies filled with love, kindness and laughter, often romantic comedies. Art often helps to overcome the hardest moments in history and people's lives.




Art also helps to overcome medium and mild sized challenges, such as practically non-stop rainy weather for a month and a half. I don't know about the rest of Seattle, but I can only stay at home so many days in a row. Honestly, shopping malls are not my favorite places to hang out. I much prefer theater, music and art to keep me company. Or museums. 




So that's where the Real Adventure Man and I spent one rainy Sunday - in the Museum of Flight (which celebrates 100 years of Boeing this year!), looking at airplanes of all shapes and sizes, from the early romantics to the modern day super speedy planes. Justin, who is an aircraft geek, would tell you so much about them. Not only did he built models, read books about aviation and spend a lot of time around planes, but he also learned to fly - he wanted to become a pilot at some point. I am much less sophisticated in this field. But I enjoy seeing planes, especially the antique ones. Flying is one of the most daring dreams mankind has succeeded in making a reality so far. And whenever it comes to big dreams and dreamers who dare to believe in them, you got my attention!  



As you've probably guessed by now, our pilots friends from the 1945 Soviet romcom, hopelessly fell in love in the end. And how could it be any other way? If you have a passionate heart, it is impossible to limit it to love one thing only. Our heart has a capacity to fill itself with lots of love and many dreams. No need to try to figure it all out with our mind. Trust that it all will sort itself out. 


Coat - Simply Be (my first purchase from this British brand)
Faux leather skirt - Charlotte Russe (last year)
Plaid shirt and hat - Lane Bryant (old)
Earrings - vintage
Laptop case used as a clutch - Cynthia Rowley for Staples
Rainproof suede booties - Aquatalia (last year)

Photographs by Justin Donie
Location - Boeing Museum of Flight, Seattle

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14 comments:

  1. fabulouse post!!!
    not only is your outfit very cool and chic - chapeau madame! - but airplanes!!! love them too - especially the old romantic ones! and i love to hear the stories around them, or read biographic books of pilots - especially the female heroes of the pioneer days of aircrafts.
    and sitting & singing in a warm room with friends while outside the weather is cold and harsh - and having some sto gram together is a wonderful imagination......... <3
    nasdrovje! xxxxxx
    p.s.: supercute photos of you!!

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    1. Thank you, dear Beate! I'm happy that this post brought you joy!

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  2. Natalia , wonderfull post. Old airplanes are very interesting. Cute pictures from you. To simply be on oxford street would I like to go on sunday in London. :)
    Kisses from the highway to Calais , Tina

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    1. I'm eager to see your finds at Oxford Street, Tina!

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  3. lovely museum visit, very interesting old stories and songs, old airplanes and romance in the air!, everything looks delightful! so much better than a shopping center!
    And you look pretty elegant with a very adequate retro twist!, lovely striped coat!

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  4. What an interesting museum! I love aeroplanes, vintage or new, they symbolise both optimism and adventure.
    I love your outfit and you mirroring the mannequin behind you! xxx

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  5. Well, you know those guys! They get caught up in identifying with their minds, and the hearts usually get them in the end of the story. Especially if they meet a sweet "dish" like you! Great photos, interesting story!

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  6. I love aviation! I probably mentioned that already, it tends to come up in my conversations. Those vintage planes are real beauties. I know that in English, planes are often referred to as 'she', just like ships, and I always thought this was very cute. Some of the first planes were named after pilots' girlfriends-isn't that romantic?

    You look so pretty in this feminine styling...love that photo where you mimic that vintage doll...so lovely! This museum is wonderful. I need to look up this film too. It sounds fantastic! My husband was also a determined bachelor, until he met me;). I guess nobody is a bachelor forever.

    I love what Vix wrote about aeroplanes above...to me they symbolise both optimism and adventure too. That's really sweet.



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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed this little excursion, Ivana! :)

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  7. Love love love that skirt! Rad coat, too! <3

    – Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

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