Pandemic Week 121: The Tech Suit

The Tech Suits
 This week started off with July 4th festivities.  We made it to the Fairfax City parade for the first time in 3 years on what was an absolutely gorgeous day with temperatures around 82 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  The parade is always a good time and features numerous bands, politicians, community groups and of course the librarian drill cart team.  Later in the day, Theresa volunteered at the neighborhood festivities by helping with the deli.  Joe stopped down to see the action and quickly was roped into being the nacho guy at the deli after a run by customers and not enough help (the labor shortage extends to the volunteer deli staff as well).  Anna hung out with her friends for a barbecue and Joe and Theresa hosted Jackie from across the street for some barbecued chicken and corn.

July 4th fireworks were actually on July 5 in Fairfax this year, so Tuesday night the family met some friends at a local soccer field to watch the show.  It was a great view and another nice night to enjoy the extended July 4th celebration.

The big news of the week was the divisional relay carnival for swim team.  Anna was in two relays for the event.  Coach Erica, who also happens to live two doors down and swim in college, brought a bag of her old tech suits for the girls.  You may have seen these when watching competitive swimming events as they are the full suits that are specially designed to enhance the ability to streamline in the water.  The starting price is around $500.  Needless to say, Anna does not have one of these.  Thanks to Erica, there were enough for all of the teenage girls.  Anna can tell you what it is like to put one of these on (it takes at least 10 minutes), but the results are worth it.  Anna knocked two seconds off of both her breaststroke and free style, setting personal bests.  While the suits were not enough for the team to win, they did enhance performance!  These suits are only allowed at divisional events, so Anna was back to her regular speedo suit for Saturday's meet.  Despite the rain and lack of a tech suite, she finished 2nd in breaststroke for the day.

Other events for the week included:

  • Dinner with neighbors Sue and Zaki on Saturday to celebrate Eid Al-Hada.  There was lots of good food, largely because their previously invited guests tested positive for COVID and could not make it.  The Virginia Fagellas were happy to be second string for this dinner!
  • Theresa enjoyed some paddleboarding on Sunday while Joe enjoyed a relaxing afternoon by the water.  Anna enjoyed not going with her parents.
  • Anna had a great babysitting job on Sunday night for some neighbors.  She was surprised to find that the two boys actually like each other and were very easy to entertain.  This is very different from her weekly job, where she finds herself refereeing a lot of fights.

Happy July 4th!



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