I’m at a conference in Washington D.C., learning about the art of speechwriting. Although I furiously strive to avoid giving lectures, it’s something I have to do from time to time. I think I might eventually like to be more involved in writing speeches for my organization’s higher-ups so I’d like to gain a little more knowledge about how successful, memorable speeches are crafted. And my job was kind enough to pay for me to attend the conference, so here I am.

After this afternoon’s session, I took a stroll through the monuments. I started at the Washington Monument and then took in the World War II Monument for the first time. My grandfather’s brother was killed in WWII, so seeing that was a priority and it did not disappoint.

From there, it was down the edge of the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Monument. I have been there many times but don’t know that I’ve ever truly taken the time to completely read the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s second inaugural address, both of which are written on the inner walls of the monument. Given what’s currently going on around the world, standing there reading words that resonate almost 150 years later was somewhat humbling.

On my way back I walked through the Vietnam Memorial, which to me always takes on a more solemn feel in the evening, when only the small lights in the ground shine up on the walls of the memorial. As usual, I did not make the side trip to the Jefferson Memorial. Jefferson definitely got the shaft as far as location is concerned.

I know something went on in the Russell Senate Office Building here today, although I haven’t had a chance to read much about it. I have to wonder whether the high-level of security at my hotel is a result of today’s goings-on, or if something else is going on. You can’t enter the hotel without your room key, and there are police and security all over the lobby. I’m about four blocks from the White House so maybe that’s just a way of life at hotels in this area.

But I’m not going to let this bother me, because when I checked into my room, I was greeted by a huge flat-screen TV. I wonder if they’ll notice if I take that home with me…