A Break from Routine

A Break from Routine

It was three years ago right about now that COVID was bringing the world to its knees. In mid-March of 2020, the president put travel restrictions on all flights in and out of Europe, the NBA suspended its season, and Tom Hanks announced that he’d tested positive for the disease—all in the same night. It was officially a national emergency two days later.

I remember how surreal it felt watching the whole world shut down. Things you didn’t know could be cancelled just kept getting cancelled. The entire March Madness tournament, called off like you’d call off Friday-night plans because you made them feeling ambitious, but now that it’s time, you’d rather just stay in and watch a movie and go to bed early..

We’ve come a long way since then; I think it was well before last year’s ISC West conference that we were already talking about how good the return to normalcy felt. But one product of the pandemic era is here to stay, probably for good: work from home..

I’ve been working from home full time for a little over two years. I love not having to deal with morning or afternoon rush hour; working in pajamas until 10:30 or 11; squeezing household tasks like unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry into breaks in the workday. I’m more consistently caught up on sleep than I’ve been at any point in my life since my last summer vacation. .

But for all of its many (many!) benefits, work from home has its drawbacks. I didn’t realize how many of my adult acquaintances and relationships came from work until I didn’t see coworkers anymore. My fiancée comes home from the office more days than not with some little anecdote about something funny that one of her coworkers said. And more days than not, I’ll parry with a story about something funny the dog did that afternoon..

Trade shows—more specifically, next week’s ISC West in Las Vegas—have become a nice break from routine, a chance to get back out in the world and have face-to-face interactions with coworkers and other industry professionals. Will we talk shop? Primarily, sure. But before and after, there’s small talk—sports, news, movies, the weather, Vegas plans. There’s dinners and happy hours and afterparties to socialize and build relationships. And every once in a while, a change of scene comes along when you need it the most..

Travel safely, and we’ll see you—live and in person!—in Las Vegas.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

  • Data Driven, Proactive Response

    As cities face rising demands for smarter policing and faster emergency response, Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are emerging as essential hubs for data-driven public safety. In this interview, two experts with deep field experience — Ross Bourgeois of New Orleans and Dean Cunningham of Axis Communications — draw on decades of operational, leadership and technology expertise to share how RTCCs are transforming public safety through innovation, interagency collaboration and a relentless focus on community impact. Read Now

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.