This being the first day of Summer (because they say so), Rhino minds turn to Summer Stuff. At the top of the list is Mermaid Notions; what are they like, what’s on their minds, where do they come from?
Rhino mermaidenly ideas are entirely governed by myth. We do not know any mermaids firsthand, but their mystique is only enhanced by our lack of acquaintance. Mermaids are elusive.
One thing We ponder: if Rhinos are made up of greens, which We eat, are mermaids made up of kelp?
Expectations regarding Family Dynamics vary from one culture to another.
Today celebrates Fatherhood. Rhinos are for it, though We don’t form into family groupings as many of our Readers do. Few of Us ever have anything to do with our sires. That is just how it is.
One thought about Dads: without them, where would We be?
Igor Stravinsky, born in 1882, composed The Rite of Spring, which was first performed in Paris in 1913. It was unexpected and entirely novel. Both the music and the choreography, plus its violent mindset, caused a riot.
What appeals to Rhinos is The Rite of Spring‘s raw muscularity, its throbbing pulse, its drive for fertility at all costs. All very Rhino.
If the story seems a bit grim, it aligns with Nature, where things are seldom gratuitously pretty. Hence Modern Dance.
Today was Edvard Grieg’s birthday in 1843. His haunting music for Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt has always fascinated Rhinos.
In Peer Gynt, Peer is a freewheeling scamp. Full of potential and charm, but only partially civilized, he scoots around the world, frantically grasping at opportunity, ultimately accomplishing nothing. As a play it is remarkable in its ambition, a dream play really with lots of Dark Undertones.
Peer Gynt is very Rhino. When We each set out on our Quests, none of Us is sure what’s coming, how our lives will go. So perhaps each of Us is Peer Gynt.
Herr Heinrich Hoffmann (whose birthday this was in 1809) wrote Der Struwwelpeter as a gift for his son, back in 1845. It is a collection of short moral tales, merrily pointing out that defiant childlike behavior can have Catastrophic Consequences.
None of the Protagonists in these stories end up happily, so they clearly learn their Lessons, if a bit late in the day.
RhinoTots find these stories bizarre, but they do like them. Inexplicable, kids.
This is to remind Your Inner Rhino Readers that, despite rumors to the contrary, We Rhinos are fully capable of Multitasking.
We think, We chew, We chew, We think.
We Rhinos obviously have Good Times most of the time. In fact, our problem is one of control and suppression, not expression. We are Good Time Beasts. Hard-wired for it.
This is the result of a Family of long standing, many of whom have explored and expanded our Exuberance Capabilities beyond the norm. Rhinos are and have been pioneers in Jubilationics.
We are also one of the few critters that can have a Square Dance, all by ourselves, supplying music, feet, and elaborate calls while entirely alone. And chewing.
Adolescence is designed as a time when RYouth can experiment with various personalities, philosophies, facades, mindsets, fads and posturings. The majority are meaningless trials and errors.
Eventually, one or another concept will stick, though there is no guarantee that choice will stand the test of time.
So RMoms are told not to despair, but also not to get their hopes up.
Rhinos everywhere hail the artistic accomplishments of Red Grooms, whose birthday this is. What a raw, frenetic, fearless, energetic crazed vision of things. Perfect. VeryRhino.
Mr. Grooms has focused on the Urban Experience, so YIR presents a version of Nature stuff, which We know more about. Naturally.
Rhinos like to see the Wild celebrate itself. That’s why We call it the Wild.
In the Ego’s Cineplex, each of Us Rhinos is always the Featured Attraction. The show runs every minute of every day. Never a dull moment.
Stardom is heady stuff. The interesting feature of the discussion is that We are not only the Talent, but We are also the only Audience. That’s right! We also embody the primary Fan Club.
Less delightfully, We also have to function as Critic.
Your Inner Rhino 