Notes From a Future Exile from Red Bank

Our entire physical activity is bent upon procuring pleasure and avoiding pain. – Freud

The ego learns that it must inevitably go without immediate satisfaction, postpone gratification, learn to endure a degree of pain, and all together renounce certain sources of pleasure. Thus trained, the ego becomes, “reasonable,” is no longer controlled by the pleasure of principle, but follows the reality principle. -- Freud

Exiles inhabit a personal universe. They may be found in any sort of place, but the choice is always based upon expediency – whether they stay for a short time or forever has little to do with the particular locale, for they do not commit themselves to any time or place. The site of the exile represents anyplace away from the place, or more commonly, person, the exile has voluntarily abandoned, fled from, or lost.

Cain’s exile in Genesis. Greek war myths about heroes like Philoctetes and Achilles. Odysseus, who does not want to go to war, yet only serve as a prototype for the myth – which entails both the exile and the return from it – but also presents himself as the romantic epitome of the type.

The exile exists in a state of brooding alienation, but always with a submerged patriotism for the right side, if not for the flag-waving that symbolizes the right side. The exile, when fully aware of his own strengths and the necessity of action, can be counted on to burst his bonds.

Having said that, I will add this non sequitur: What is the difference between New York City and other cities? In New York we wear nicer shoes to walk on dirtier sidewalks.

The End, for now.