A linguistic irritant XCIII

When a judge renders a verdict in a bench trial, it strikes me as pretentious to say, "In the opinion of this court..."  Considering just one person is making a decision, it seems more appropriate to say, "In my judgment..."

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXXVI

Watchcat Headquarters sometimes tests its watchcats by seeing how they'd react to an adversary on a string.  In March 2004, Watchcat Rosie passed her simulation exercise against a toy bear:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXXV

As unlikely as it sounds, the watchcat and watchmouse communities have a cooperative arrangement.  In this photo from July 2011, a watchmouse had just whispered sensitive security information gleaned from Watchcat Headquarters to Watchcat Nemo:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXXIV

At least once during a watchcat's tenure, a Watchcat Headquarters representative will ask if (s)he understands the importance of undercover watchcat protocol.  On November 7, 2019, Watchcat Lily looked up when she was asked this:

"Do I understand the importance of being undercover?" she replied with her eyes.  "Yes!  I'm under the cover right now."  Watchcat Headquarters accepted her answer and hasn't questioned her judgment since then:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXXIII

There's a sly smile watchcats sometimes exhibit; it stems from knowing they'll be ready to stave off marauders who peer under the bed:

November 10, 2019: Watchcat Lily smiles while guarding her assigned sector under the bed.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXXII

While Watchcat Sammy took a nap break one Fall day in 2003, Watchcat Rosie remained vigilant:

Motivational speaking?

A former co-worker at a previous job jokingly advised new employees, "Remember, there are a lot of stupid questions, so always be afraid to ask."  When the company was understaffed, he'd also joke, "It's like I always tell kids, 'Drop out of school.'"

I still think both remarks strike the right balance of humor and seriousness needed at most workplaces.