If you go into public life or if you are prominent in some other way. You will from time to time be asked to attend an event. You would like to go to that event for as short a time as possible. Because you have to be there but, you don't really enjoy it. Now, you often hear people read letters, 'Oh, I cannot be with you in person, but I am here in spirit.' More often if you go into politics, you will be places in person where you are not in spirit. But when you do those things I have one important piece of advice: Never let anyone take your coat. Because the time will come when you want to sneak out early, and through the room will ripple the cry 'Where is the Congressman's coat?'

Barney Frank, from his 2009 Commencement Address at the American University School of Public Affairs. Video and Transcript Here.

Had an excellent adventure to Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac yesterday. The trails were nice enough, and at the center of the island is perhaps the strangest presidential monument I've seen. In addition to the Stalin-esq statue of Roosevelt, there were giant stone tablets devoted to State, Youth, Manhood and Nature. There were also giant non-functioning cement fountains. It's definitely worth checking out, just keep your eyes out for ridiculously huge snakes.

I know a lot of people have been asking me what happened last week and if I'm OK (I am OK, and I truly appreciate everyone's concern). So here's a summary of what happened and some updates on the aftermath:

Last Tuesday I was robbed at gunpoint a few blocks from my apartment by three teenagers. A lot of my stuff was taken, but nothing that couldn't be replaced. I'm just happy to be unharmed. My neighbor, R, was jumped at the same time — I hadn't met him before, talk about a weird situation to get acquainted with someone. We were separately walking home from the Metro around 9:30 and the kids followed us. I was on my phone talking to E in Minneapolis and I was not paying attention to my surroundings as I walk. Then it was too late and there was a gun to my head and in 20 seconds it was over. I'll hold off on some of details about the kids and the weapons since the investigation is still open and ongoing.

Since both of my mobile phones were taken, I had to call 911 after borrowing a phone from K, my next door neighbor (she was incredibly helpful too). I gave the police a report — they were very quick to respond to the scene, showing up at the front door before the dispatcher was finished taking my info. I went to bed a bit shaken and paranoid since they had taken both my keys and had my address on my driver's license. I've since changed the locks to my apartment.