As I rode the bus to metro station this morning, I had a serious rumble in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it was the 5 ravioli the new rip-off restaurant in Bethesda served me for $18 the night before, or maybe it was the 3 miles I had run this morning with no replenishment as it would not have been “free.” Probably. But metaphorically, the source of that rumble is the hunger deep in my soul for as much free food as I can possibly swindle. No, I’m not going to steal—it’s more of a Robin Hood kind of thing; you know, “Steal from the rich, give to the poor.” I have no qualms about taking ridiculous amounts of gourmet food prepared by chefs from the cordon bleu merely for the bellies of greedy corporate suits and wined-and-dined lobbyists and policy makers and redirecting it to my starved intern well-being.

Thus, I was more than thrilled this morning to have RSVP-ed to the International Institute for Strategic Studies Launch of the book Political Islam in Turkey: Running West, Heading East? in the National Press Club building, for I was able to clandestinely swipe delicious baked goods for breakfast. I felt a tad underdressed as most in the room sported suits and skirt-suits, but felt no shame making a beeline for the buffet table displaying a smorgasbord of muffins, cheese Danish, croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice. I felt particularly deserving of a hefty helping and chose a pastry filled with honey-soaked walnuts and a chocolate chip muffin, accompanied by some juice. I sat down and pretended to be interested in the welcome packet while devouring my breakfast, when I couldn’t take it any longer. I couldn’t help feeling disappointed that a room full of white old men—with the token person of color strategically positioned—was discussing the politics of Islam in Turkey. I’m sure the discussion would’ve been intellectually stimulating and blah, blah, blah but not as stimulating as the spoils of my free breakfast.