Breakaway News Volume No. 11 Issue No. 1 January 2006

Auld Lang Syne

2005 was an eventful year; what with tsunami, hurricanes, earthquakes and politics with no Intelligent Design whatsoever. We’re looking forward to the New Year with anticipation, ready to embrace the future. Here’s wishing all our customers a healthy and happy new year.

Giving

Upset because gift giving is over? You still have a chance! January 6^th is Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes), when the Three Magi visit good latino girls and boys and leave them gifts. As always, Breakaway is standing by to deliver, in case the camels get sick or something. 

Receiving

Thank you to all the customers who sent cards and gifts. We were really touched. All we have to do now is work off all the chocolates many people sent!

Strike This!

The transit strike impacted all businesses and Breakaway was no exception, with many personnel living in outer boroughs, and commercial vehicles banned from the city until 11:00am. Kudos to the many messengers who soldiered on, some of whom walked eight miles to report to work. Thanks also to those customers who worked with us to make things as smooth as possible.

Small World

Odd things happen. During the strike, our driver K888 stopped to offer a young woman a ride into Manhattan. As it happens, the person was Sara, a worker with one of our clients. A perfect example of how a random act of kindness turns into a case of synchronicity. Or luck.

Rising Costs

The minimum wage in New York State will be going up this year by seventy-five cents. On top of the previous raise, this represents a thirty percent increase in 12 months. Stay tuned for a modest price increase.

Boston Bumming

Our comrades-in-arms at Breakaway Boston report that a great tragedy has befallen Beantown. Namely, the fact that Johnny Damon has become a Yankee. Is a new curse in the offing? Will this one strike New York instead? Will people care that he’s now clean shaven? Only time will tell.

Stump the Band

Last month, we asked you to name the radio station that the NPR show “Car Talk” got its start on. Many answers came in sounding something like, “that M.I.T. station” which was incorrect. The actual answer: WBUR in Boston.

Trivia Question

The New York Mets uniform colors are orange and blue. Why? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway coffee mug.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 12 December 2005

Christmas Rush

So you’ve survived Black Friday, and the pummeling of the shopping frenzy. Now you need to send that gift item across the Tri-State area. Well, Breakaway has been deputized by Santa to help deliver all your holiday cheer. From cards to cartons, we can help. We just won’t be wearing the red Santa suit.

White Christmas?

November 29^th: 69 degrees outside! The calendar may say it’s late fall outside, but you could be excused for thinking it’s July when you see our messengers wearing shorts and muscle tees. We’re wondering if it’ll be cold enough to make a winter wonderland in our fair burg this year. Or maybe, we just have really tough messengers.

Christmas Rush II

Black Friday is famous as the time when everyone hits the stores after Thanksgiving. For shoppers so stuffed with turkey they couldn’t waddle out of the house, there’s now an online equivalent. “Cyber Monday” is the time when people who’ve just come back from holiday travel fire up their computers to shop. It’s a lot like Black Friday; just without the body checking. You can also place your delivery request with Breakaway online. A few clicks of the mouse, and a Santa deputized messenger will show up faster than Rudolph the Reindeer.

D’oh!

In October, we asked you to name the person who walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers. The answer we provided was Phillipe Lefitte. We were subsequently corrected. Susan Knox was the first to inform us that the name actually is Phillipe Petit. Our bad. (Non-street translation: That was entirely our fault. We do apologize).

Meet the Staff

Name: Mahamadou Daffe.

Position: Phone Operator

Nickname: “Daff.”

Years at Breakaway: Three.

Favorite Customer: Jam’s Chantal.

Favorite Artists: Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Jagged Edge, and many, many more.

Likes: Soccer, Muay Thai, and travel.

Dislikes: “I have dislikes?”.

Favorite Saying: None noted.

Stump the Band…

Last month, we asked two questions: What American food item nearly killed the Pilgrims and, as a bonus, what is a Roc? The answers: corn almost led to the pilgrims starving. It has to be processed with lye to release its nutrients, which the natives knew, but the pilgrims didn’t. A Roc is a mythical, giant bird of Persia.

Coffee Mug Question

 “Car Talk” hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi of Cambridge have been dispensing advice about cars, along with healthy doses of comedy, over Public Radio for close to thirty years now. On what radio station did they get their start? The first person to call John Handrik this month will win not a coveted Breakaway t-shirt, but a coveted Breakaway coffee mug. We’re fickle like that.

Breakaway News Volume No. 10 Issue No. 11 November 2005

Time of Thanks

Breakaway wants to wish our customers a Happy Thanksgiving. While we’re at it, we’d like to say, “Thanks”, to our customers who have made Breakaway the company it is. We couldn’t have done it without you.

New Invoices

It’s been one month since Breakaway New York launched its new management software, and we’ve already gotten feedback regarding the new laser printed invoices. Many customers seem to like it. Others, perhaps feeling nostalgic, miss the old, faded dot-matrix bills. We’re currently working to make the invoices as easy to read as possible, by enlarging the type. If you have a large company or a lot of clients, you can now group your invoices by caller, reference, date and/or department.

Breakaway R & D

Our latest initiative in the Breakaway R&D department was nixed before it even got underway. We were thinking of breeding our own giant Rocs* to fly our messengers throughout the city, but with bird flu making everyone unreasonably nervous, the CDC called to put the kaibosh on that. Anyway, Rocs or not, we can still deliver those Tamiflu pills to your door.

*Bonus t-shirt question: What is a Roc? First person to call Breakaway with the correct answer wins a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Mai Fun, Way Fun

Can a man love a lunch item too much? One Breakaway staffer has become so enamored of Singapore Mai Fun, the spicy, curry rice-noodle dish, that he orders it for lunch almost every day. We’re waiting for the accumulated build up of spices to make him spontaneously combust.

Meet the Staff

Name: Chris Bess.

Position: Phone Operator

Nickname: “Coaster Dude.”

Years at Breakaway: Two.

Favorite Customer: Beata at Code.

Favorite Artists: Prince, Stephen King and Tom Otterness.

Likes: Riding newly constructed roller coasters – or any coaster, really.

Dislikes: People who handle his pool cues without asking.

Favorite Saying: “WHERE…IS…IT…GOING?!”

Street Talk

One police officer talking to another.

“I want to talk to you! You were laughing at me while I was punching the wall last night!”

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

Stump the Band…

Last month, we asked you to tell us the name of the person who tight-roped back and forth between the Twin Towers back in the early 80s. The correct answer is Frenchman Phillipe Lefitte.

T-Shirt Question

What native American food item nearly had the pilgrims starving to death? 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. 10 October 2005

Happy Halloween

Breakaway wants to wish all our customers a happy, healthy and frightening Halloween. Our messengers will be braving All Hallows Day to safely deliver your packages. Be sure to give them a treat!

Building Security

Those of us who have been around awhile remember the days of being able to walk into any building, unimpeded. Nowadays, with security such a concern, more and more office buildings have messenger centers. Many do not allow messengers upstairs at all anymore. Please, make sure all packages are fully labeled for their destination. For outside pick-ups, make sure you give the operator a contact name, floor and working phone number. And, by the way, the package is never at “the front desk!”

The Hours

It’s 8:15 pm. You’ve just finished a big project and you have to get it in your client’s hands right away. Ordinarily, this would induce panic, but you have peace of mind, knowing that Breakaway is open weekdays, 7am – 9pm, and Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 12:00pm – 5pm. Ahhh…serenity!

Un-Lovely Rita

We want to extend our sympathies to everyone in the Gulf region who got slammed both by Katrina and Rita, as well as anyone here in Boston and New York who have family there. Our hearts are with you.

Nouns Only

Bike job desk school bike commute boss bike trail letters package portfolio truck bike train calls calls computer bike.

Online Access

This month, Breakaway will officially launch its new courier management software. That’s the software that allows us to take jobs into and dispatch from a general pool, enter signatures, etc. Our current software dates from the 80s. The new system will not only allow us to do our job more smoothly, but will allow customers to track jobs online, view and download their invoices (in PDF, Word or text), and enter jobs straight into the dispatch pool. Customers won’t be able to dispatch, however. We still have to have some fun.

Stump the Band…

Last month, we asked you to tell us the name of the singing band that coined the line, “Oh, I love that dirty water! Oh, Boston you’re my home!” The correct answer was the Standells. The band got its name from “standing around” waiting for work. Honorable mention to everyone who sang the answer into our voice mail. Don’t quit your day jobs!

T-Shirt Question

Who is the tight-rope walking dare-devil that famously traipsed across a line back and forth across the Twin Towers, without a net? 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. 9 September 2005

Back to School

It is September and everyone knows what that means: the kids will be out of the house, out of your hair, and back in school. Start stocking up on supplies now.  Breakaway can pick up your school supply order and bring it to your door; much to your children’ s chagrin or delight depending on your child.

Breakaway R&D

France came up with the air-car (www.theaircar.com). Now Breakaway has responded to this overseas technology challenge with--the Air Messenger! Pump him full of air, poke with a pin and watch him fly! Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten him to do a single delivery or stop him from flying loop–de-loops around the room.  We’ll let you know how things turn out.

For the Guys

In July, Bryan, a.k.a. S546, organized a fundraiser at the Kissena Velodrome for several couriers who were injured during the World Messenger Games.  The event was such success that Bryan is holding another track racing event on Sept. 11^th at 10:00 AM at the Kissena Velodrome.  Stop by and you will see some of New York's best bicycle riders racing their single speed track bikes.

Rush in Three Flavors

Sometimes things can’t be planned in advance and then you have to move quickly. That’s why Breakaway offers three levels of rush: rush (one hour), double rush (40 minutes), and triple rush (20 minutes). Of course, prices rise with the level of rush, so call them in responsibly and please, plan ahead!

Verbs Only

call order start run ride drive walk relax work think drink eat accept repeat

Storage Space

Breakaway would like to remind you that we have storage space. If you have items that you need to warehouse for short or long periods, we can store it for you at our facility for $75 per skid per month.

Stump the Band…

Last month, we asked you to tell us who the person was to first paint cabs yellow in New York City.  A major controversy ensued. The answer we were looking for was John Hertz, founder of the Yellow Cab Co. in 1907. He chose yellow because he had read a study stating that yellow was the easiest color to spot. However, Hertz was a native of Chicago, where he founded Yellow Cab. Yellow cabs were brought to NYC by Morris Markin’s Checker Cab Mfg, maker of the famous Checker Cabs. Yellow became predominant, owing to the influence of Yellow Cab and Checker, and in 1967, by order of the City, all taxis were, and continue to be, painted yellow.

T-Shirt Question

What was the name of the band that made the line, “Oh, I love that dirty water, oh Boston you’re my home!”, famous, and how did the band get their name? 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. 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.