I mis-spoke. The first part was referring to the fact that my master key is on my computer and the second part that when powered up I don't really have access to the funds. But then again, that's committed to the network it would seem, so nobody else has access either as long as it's tied up in the decentralized network (not sure how that works exactly). I know that with bitcoin, encumbrances function in this manner as proof of ownership. I don't hold any of my other coins with an exchange, but prefer cold storage.
PS - thanks for the link!