Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 8 August 2005

Dog Days Ahead

The weather so far this summer has been classic. It's hot, muggy and not much rain.  Our hats go off to our intrepid couriers who spend all day in the scorching heat.  We're not sure how they do it but remember a cold glass of water on these ninety-degree days is always welcome.

We Like to Go Out of Town, Way Out!

If you happen to forget an important item while you're vacationing on the beach, call us. Last week, courier S808 made it all the way out to Martha's Vineyard from Manhattan to keep the wheels of commerce rolling.

Label Your Delivery

With the recent attacks in London, we have been experiencing tighter security when making deliveries. It is very important that your package is fully labeled. Information should be detailed all the way down to the recipient's full name (not just Jim), company name, room number, street address and phone number.

Heard On an Elevator

"Don't worry about tonight's attire. Just make sure you wear a white T-shirt and boxer shorts."

One of thousands of titillating conversations overheard by our courier's everyday.

Livestrong Lance

As incredible as it sounds, Lance Armstrong won an amazing record seventh Tour de France. For all of us bike racers, riders and messengers this is an amazing feat. Congratulations Mr. Armstrong. You are an inspiration to all.

Abort Retry Ignore

The introduction of our new operations software has been delayed for 30 to 60 days. We are waiting for several key custom features from our programmers.  We will be sending out a separate mailing detailing all the new features and enhancements to improve customer service.

Order Online

Even with our current software, it is possible to place an order online and to track an order online. Try it at:

www.breakawaycourier.com 

Stump the Band

 Last month, we asked you to tell us how the Broadway play “No, No Nanette” altered the course of baseball history?  Answer: Among other things, the Red Sox owner, Harry Frazee, received $100,000 in exchange for trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The cash was used to produce the play. The unconfirmed additional tidbit is that Frazee's lady friend starred in the play.

T-Shirt Question

Who is the original person who started painting their cabs yellow in New York City? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 7 July 2005

Happy Fourth

Breakaway Courier would like to wish all our customers a happy, healthy Fourth of July. The Fourth is on a Monday this year, and the Breakaway compound will be closed for business that day. Have a great Independence Day and please, mind where you point that bottle rocket!

Breakaway R & D

Breakaway Courier is always looking for the latest in delivery technology in order to service our clients better. The latest idea? Internet teleportation. Cameras will scan the messenger, the digitized courier will flow through cyberspace, and he’ll be recreated on the other end using “nano-dust.” Only problem – the facsimile still isn’t very life-like. We’re still working on that.

Whole Lotta Lance

Everyone’s favorite cyclist is gearing up for the Tour de France, and now that Lance is being sponsored by Discovery Networks, you can see Lance on the Discovery Channel. And the Science Channel. And the Discovery-Times Channel. In fact, you can see him on every Discovery channel, and that means all Lance all the time. We’d like to say that Lance may bring in the endorsements, but our couriers are just as fast! Almost.

Messenger Chic

Seems that makeover/home shows are all over the dial and on all kinds of networks these days. No matter what channel you turn to, someone is painting, spackling, sawing, or sewing a slipcover onto something. However, we’ve identified an audience that’s long been neglected: messengers! We know a few that look as if they’re long overdue for a makeover – or at the very least a dusting! Getting a nifty new bike would be nice too; albeit without the velour covered saddle.

It’s Official

On August 1, 2005, we will begin utilizing new software for our entire operation. Immediate benefits to our customers will be:

•  Many new online features including order entry,  job tracking, job pricing and invoice/report generation.
• Common delivery locations will be saved, allowing for quicker order entry.
• Invoices will be  more user-friendly and generated on a laser printer.  Electronic invoicing will be available in several formats.

Please call Robert Kotch if you have any questions or concerns about our new client services software.

Stump the Band

Last month, we asked you to tell us the Manhattan park in which there is a monument erected to the victims of the General Slocum ferry disaster. The answer: Tompkins Square Park, located in Alphabet City, what used to be the city’s “Little Germany.”

T-Shirt Question

How did the long forgotten Broadway bomb, “No, No Nanette” bring cheer to New Yorkers, bring sorrow to Bostonians, and alter the course of baseball history? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 6 June 2005

Father’s Day

Got a really great tie and don't know what to do with it? Let us remind you that Father’s Day is on June 19th. We will deliver that tie, or anything else, to dear old Dad on his day in the hammock.

New Software

For years, we have relied on dispatching software developed in 1982 and it has been showing its age. Which is why we’re happy to announce that Breakaway NY will soon be rolling out its new computer software later this year (we’re shooting for August). Already in use in Boston, the new system takes advantage of all the advances in software and hardware since 1982. Customers will have more options in terms of tracking deliveries, receiving invoices and paying bills.

Morning Ritual

Former messenger and general office guy, M510, has been getting up at the crack of dawn to bicycle a fast seventeen miles with some equally unbalanced individuals. M510 reports that since taking these rides, his mood and concentration have improved, his waist size has dropped, his cats have become more friendly, and more of his favorite shows are on at more convenient hours. M510: a "livestrong" convert.

Summertime Express

Many of our customers migrate to the shore for the summer. Breakaway offers efficient delivery service between Manhattan and both the Hamptons and the Jersey Shore. In addition, service is available between Boston and lovely Cape Cod. You can work right from your vacation pad while Breakaway keeps you in touch with your office-bound colleagues. Please remember to turn over occasionally so you don’t burn while you are… (ahem) …working.

Messenger World Games Are Coming.

The excitement is stirring. At the end of June, messengers from around the world will converge on NYC for the annual Cycle Messenger World Championships. Internationally, couriers have always viewed New York as THE city to ply their riding skills. We’ve received inquiries from couriers from as far as Berlin and Peking looking to do a brief stint in Manhattan. So don't be surprised if you hear, "guten Tag", "bonjour" or "ni hăo" when your Breakaway Courier stops by.

Stump the Band

Last month, we asked you to tell us how many streets in Manhattan have “Broadway” as part of their name. The answer: six. They are: Broadway, West Broadway, East Broadway, Old Broadway, Broadway Alley, and Broadway Terrace.

T-Shirt Question

On June 5^th, 1904, the General Slocum, a New York City ferry, caught fire and sank in the East River, killing more than 1000 people (mostly children). For many years, this was considered the worst disaster in New York City history. In which Manhattan park is there a monument dedicated to the disaster’s victims? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct question will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 5 May 2005

May’s Many Moments

If April showers bring May flowers, then May brings a crop of other days and events. There’s May Day (May 1^st), Mother’s Day (May 8^th), Cinco de Mayo (guess when) and Memorial Day, which comes not too long after on the 30^th. As always, Breakaway is ready to bring those May flowers, cards, and other items to Mom, or anyone else you want to send a May gift to.

Food Plan

It’s official: The old food pyramid is no more, having been replaced by a slew of new, color coded, individualized pyramids, ready to guide the munching masses of our fat…er…great nation to nutritional nirvana. We kept trying to get our personalized pyramids from the mypyramid.gov web-site, only to have it repeatedly tell us to get lost. Apparently, all the bike riding we do makes us too fit to qualify for a pyramid. We were, however, offered a choice of some nice trapezoids, and various other polygons.

Helping Hands

Got a lot of tasks to perform and not a lot of time to perform them in? Try hiring a Breakaway messenger by the hour. Our messenger will do the menial, time consuming labor that you need done, leaving you free to concentrate on more specific, critical tasks. Take the ‘mess’ out of your day with one of our messengers!

Leave in Silence…

At the commencement of the Tour de Georgia, America’s biggest bicycle stage race, Lance Armstrong officially, and calmly, announced to the world that he’ll retire after this year’s Tour de France. We here at Breakaway Courier want to bid the six-time Tour champ a fond and sad farewell, as well as a heartfelt thank you for providing us, for 14 great years, with an example of what a champion should be. Thanks Lance; we’ll miss you.

World Messenger Games 05 in NYC

On June 30^th, the 2005 Cycle Messenger World Championships will be held in New York. Well, actually in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is the thirteenth edition of the CMWC, and the first to be held in the New York area. And, when they say World Championships, they mean it; prior events have been held in Budapest, Zurich and Edmonton (the first was in Berlin). Events will focus on skills unique to bike messengers, such as the Cargo Race, Track Bike events (no brakes allowed!) and the Dispatch Race. As a pre-event, nine days before the CMWC, there will be a bike race from Boston to New York, the Route 1 Stage Race. So, mark your calendar and get ready to cheer our NYC daredevils on as they compete for the title of World’s Greatest Bike Messenger!

Stump the Band

Last month, we asked for the name of the taiji (tai chi) master and Boston native who was world renowned for his skill, longevity, wicked sense of humor, and who taught scads of Bostonians the joy of moving in slow motion. The answer: T.T. Liang.

T-Shirt Question

How many streets in Manhattan have “Broadway” as part of their names? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 4 April 2005

Weather and Time

Ah, Spring. When a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love, chocolate, and the resulting mountain of credit card debt. Our fancy turns to thoughts of snowless streets, blue skies, and fabulous riding conditions. With a really brutal winter behind us, delivery times are going to pick up, fast, so have that package ready when you call. And please, make sure it’s thoroughly labeled.

Rolling Along

There are health nuts, fanatics, and then there’s our very own Office Manager Andy Young. Andy recently acquired a new set of small diameter/high difficulty bicycle “rollers” to train on while in the office. Apparently, running up and down the 14-story stairwell five times in a row and doing bike laps in Central Park just wasn’t enough.

Breakaway R&D

A new study confirms that world ocean temperatures are rising – fast. On top of this, there is evidence that the Himalayan glaciers are receding at a rapid rate. Climate change is coming, and Breakaway is prepared. We are currently testing a new fleet of jet skis, for when NYC gets submerged. The one-man personal subs are still on the drawing board, though. This means that customers at ground level are out of luck.

Ring It In

Breakaway’s Communications Officer and Radio Guru Gil Ortiz keeps all our radios crackling so we can provide top-notch service. He’s also become obsessed with a fun feature of modern cell/radios: ring tones. His phone can emulate Homer Simpson, play Darth Vader’s theme and call out “Hello” like the Three Stooges. All of which begs the question: If it’s not a bell ringing, why is it still a “ring” tone?

So, You Want to Be a Messenger?

Last week, we hired a young man who was brisk on his bike, seemed intelligent, and who’d said he’d been a messenger in Seattle and Chicago. After two days here in the Big Apple, he quit, crying, “I can’t handle New York!”, as he ran out the door, leaving a trail of messenger paraphernalia in his wake. Due diligence revealed that he’d only hung out with the messengers out west, while dreaming romantic dreams of the messenger life. In the words of our own S546, he was a “pose-enger.” Our final advice to the wannabe? Click your Ruby Bike Shoes together three times and say, “There’s no place like home…”

Stump the Band

Last month, we asked for the name of the author and former messenger who had written the “Rosy Crucifixion” trilogy. For a bonus, we also asked for the fictitious name of his messenger company. Answers: Henry Miller was the author and Cosmo Demonic was the company.

 T-Shirt Question

Which long time, late resident of Boston was also a world renowned master of taijiquan (t’ai chi to most people) and lived to the ripe old age of 103, after having taught thousands of Beantowners? The first person with the correct answer to call John Handrik will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 3 March 2005

Leprechaun Lookout

Breakaway would like to wish all our customers a happy Saint Patrick’s Day.  This year it falls on a Thursday. Once again, our couriers will have to dodge in between the scads of leprechauns moving about. And let’s not forget all those teenage kids, in for the day of fun and frolic, as our couriers scratch their heads wondering what all the fuss is about.

Referral Gift

Breakaway does very little advertising. Instead, we focus our resources on providing quality service to our customers. Most of our growth has been fueled by word of mouth. If you are impressed by our service, why not tell a friend? If they open an account with us you will receive a special surprise gift. Just have your friend include your name on their completed application.

C is for Crisis – Not!

Well, it seems that the C train crisis resolved itself after just a couple of weeks (a fortnight to you Shakespeare lovers), not the years that city officials and straphangers were talking about. A rare and well-deserved congrats to the city for resolving the problem faster than cynicism allowed for.

And now for something completely different…

The Long Good-bye

Bye-bye, Yea, … yea   ok   alright  yea  ok   yes…yes  alright, alright  now ok yea ok bye everything alright ok alright yea I'll talk to you later bye, yea… ok..

 One of the thousands of titillating conversations overheard by our couriers everyday.

Required Reading

Here at the Breakaway compound, we’re always looking for ways to improve service. Our latest idea requires all of our couriers to read the Diamond Sutra. Soon, Breakaway messengers will be flitting through NYC and Boston a la “Crouching Tiger” in no time. Try stopping us then!

Three’s a Charm?

First it was the Red Sox and then the Pats. With the Bruins out of the picture, due to the cancellation of the hockey season, can the Celtics keep Boston’s streak going? Perhaps not. But hey, two out of three ain’t bad.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked you to tell us the name of the field where the New England Patriots held their first regular season game. Answer: Nickerson Field, September 9^th, 1960.

T-Shirt Question

What famous N.Y.C. author and former messenger wrote the “Rosy Crucifixion” trilogy? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt. Bonus question: What was the name of the fictitious messenger service he worked for?

Breakaway News Volume No. 11 Issue No. 2 February 2005

New Year Part II

Gung Hay Fat Choy! January 29^th was Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese calendar (which is a lunar, not solar, calendar) the upcoming year will be 4702, the Year of the Dog. Woof!

Minimum Wage Raise

New York State raised the minimum wage by 16.5%. On Jan. 1, 2005, the hourly rate went from $5.15 to $6.00. Stay tuned for further developments.

It Was So Easy

More and more customers are feeling the convenience of shopping by messenger.  They are ordering online or by phone from any store in Manhattan and Boston and then calling Breakaway to pickup the order. Try it, you'll love the simplicity.

Errands by the Hour

If you need an extra set of hands for a big job, give us a call. For a very reasonable price, we can send over a courteous messenger to do your bidding. Gift returning, moving, packing, cleaning, filing, research, standing in line, shopping, errand running, dog & cat walking, fish feeding and general schlepping are among the tasks that our skilled messengers can perform for you. You name it, we’ll do it! (Within reason)

Cell Phone Chatter

"Like, we were dancing, and, like, his wife was cheering me on. I couldn't believe it. They're, like, really weird."

One of thousands of titillating conversations overheard by our couriers every day.

Sneakers Subtleties

You have your work sneakers. You have your dress sneakers. And the two shall never overlap. Although we created lockers and bicycle parking for our couriers, we did not anticipate the need for sneaker parking. Everyday, on each dispatcher's desk, there is a row of pristine clean sneakers.  These sneakers are only to be used after work, preferably for a night on the town.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked you to tell us the meaning behind the Mets’ official uniform colors. This generated a lot of controversy. The answer we were looking for was that the colors represent the two teams that New York lost: Orange for the NY Giants and blue for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Others informed us that these are also New York State’s official colors. While the latter may be true, we’re giving preference to our original answer.

T-Shirt Question

What is the name of the boathouse where the Central Park Model Yacht Club members store their boats?  The first person with the correct answer to call John Handrik will win a coveted Breakaway T-Shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 9 Issue No. 12 December 2004

Holiday Wishes

Breakaway would like to wish you a joyous Holiday Season.  Believe it or not, we have already received our first holiday card.  Remember we can deliver your holiday gifts to friends, family and business associates. Be on the lookout for flying reindeer wearing Breakaway jerseys. Happy Holidays!

Bravo K888

One of our customers found herself at JFK airport, heading for London in ninety minutes without her purse. She left it behind at her midtown hotel. Not to panic, she called us at 6:00 PM.  Thanks to the expert skills of K888, Maninder Kumar, she had her purse in her hands by 7:00 PM. Nice job Maninder!

Password Overload

Do you have too many passwords to remember? Here's our tip: Make a file that is password protected and record all of your other passwords in that file. Remember only one password. If you forget your other passwords refer to your password protected file.

Santa and Security

Rumor has it that even jolly old St. Nick will have to present a picture I.D. when making his rounds this year. Don't forget to completely label your gift deliveries. Otherwise, they might not be accepted at the delivery point.

December Horoscope

We see many fabulous gifts in your near future. A significant other will surprise you with an unexpected adventure to a far-off land. A Breakaway Courier will be in your life for at least 20 seconds.

Snow Pool

It is time for our snow forecasters to show off. Confidently tell us the number of inches of snow that will fall in Central Park by April 30^th, 2005 and email your prediction to snow@breakawaycourier.com. If your guess is the most accurate, you will win a special prize.  Consult your favorite soothsayer and join the fun.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know who said, "I was riding on the Mayflower when I thought I spied some land."  Answer: Bob Dylan, from his song Bob Dylan's 115^th Dream.

T-Shirt Question

The performance of the Nutcracker Suite is a holiday tradition at the NY State Theatre and Colonial Theatre in Boston. What is the name of the leader who battles against Clara & the Nutcracker at midnight? The first person to call John Handrik will win a coveted Breakaway T-Shirt and perhaps a pair of ballet slippers.

Breakaway News Volume No. 9 Issue No. 10 October 2004

Happy Halloween 

As the days get shorter and fall sets in, our thoughts turn to ghouls and goblins. The ancient festival of Samhain (Celtic feast of the harvest) approaches. Trick-or-treaters will soon descend upon us. This is an excellent time of year to have a pumpkin or other treat delivered to someone special! We can deliver that must-have outfit from your favorite costume shop or that fresh pumpkin pie from your favorite bakery. This year most of our bike messengers intend to dress as…bike messengers.  Happy Halloween.

Good Bagel/Bad Coffee

Here on our block we were sorry, but not surprised, to see that Mom's Bagel Shop has closed its doors. They had great bagels but lousy coffee.  Bad coffee can sink a restaurant faster than soggy toast.  In search of the ultimate cup of coffee, we asked our couriers, "Where is the best coffee in Manhattan?" So far the consensus is Taralluci-E-Vino on First Avenue in the East Village.

Payment by Credit Card

Simplify your life; pay your Breakaway invoices by credit card and rack up your airline miles. Call John Handrik or email John at: acccounting@breakawaycourier.com

Heard on an Elevator

"Ok, when we go in, I'll do the talking. You say nothing. This is what I'm going to tell Liz. When Mary walks in, you're going to tell her everything's taken care of and the deal is done."

Just one of the thousands of titillating conversations overheard by our couriers every single day.

Mike's Ordering Tips

Most office buildings now have elaborate security schemes, which impede the delivery of your package. It can take us 15 minutes to arrive at a building and another two hours to get the package in your hands. Mike Czekaj, one of our stalwart troubleshooters has some labeling tips for hassle-free deliveries:

Delivery information, please include

• company name
• room number
• recipient's name

It also helps to let us know what time the security desk closes.

Stump the band…

Last month we asked you to tell us the last time the Republicans held their presidential convention in New York City.  The correct answer is 2004. This was the first time (and last?) the Republicans held their convention in the Big Apple.

T-shirt Question

What were the dates of both the 1920's stock market crash and "Black Monday" in the 1980s? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-Shirt.

Breakaway News NY Volume No.9 Issue No.9 September 2004

Labor Day Gratitude

In honor of Labor Day, we would like to thank our hardworking couriers, office staff and valued customers who make all our jobs possible. We will be closed Monday, September 6^th, 2004. Enjoy the Holiday.

RNC Update

This newsletter should arrive during the RNC. The convention is two blocks from our office. NYPD has assured us that we will be able to enter our block. If not, we have contingency plans, which will impede us but not shut us down. Look for updates on our website. We expect major delays in the "lock down" zone. But hey, we're New Yorkers.  We'll deal with it.

Summer Vacations

Messengers are, by nature, travelers. Unfortunately these days, our travel is limited to 5^th Ave., 6^th Ave., over to Park Ave., back to 5^th, etc, etc, etc. We love postcards from  exotic lands. Better yet, whoever calls with the most exotic summer vacation story gets to go to the front of the line for the new hit TV show Extreme Reality Survivor.

Speaking of Exotic

Andrew Young, our general manager, did get away to watch Lance Armstrong win his sixth Tour de France. We never did get the postcard, so Andy missed his casting call. When not traveling overseas, Andy can be seen running up our building's 14 flights of stairs, repeating the torture FIVE times. That's 70 flights!  Why bother? Something about improving lactic acid threshold... Ok Lance.

We Have Storage Space

Yesterday we renewed our liease and committed ourselves to an additional floor of storage space.  This fills a need for our cutomers who store items on short notice.  If you have a project that calls for some stuff to be stored off your premises -- think Breakaway Storage.  We can store freight on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.

Predict the Super Bowl Winner

Who's going to win the Super Bowl? Who's going to lose the Super Bowl? If you can predict these two things, you'll win the Breakaway Superbowl Contest. The winner shall receive an all-expense paid trip to Starbucks. Email your prediction to:

superbowl@breakawaycourier.com.

Stump the band…

Last month we asked you what year Gracie Mansion became the official residence of the Mayor of NYC.  The correct answer is 1942.

T-Shirt Question

New York City has hosted many political conventions. When was the last time the Republicans held their presidential convention in New York City?  The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-Shirt.