Breakaway News Volume No. 15 Issue No. 1 January 2010

Happy New Year!   

Not only has another year come and gone, but so has another decade. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re out riding your bicycle! We hope all of our customers have a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year and enjoy the ‘10s.

Did You Forget Us?

During our Holiday Party, a few of our messengers noted how slow it is on Saturdays. We just want to gently remind all our customers that we are, indeed, open on Saturday AND Sunday. Our operators are standing by. Please give them something to do, something other than solitaire.

Winter Drinks

Newsweek.com recently posted an interesting article about the seven most calorific winter drinks, including Irish Coffee, apple cider, and, the most calorific, hot cocoa, which, if prepared the traditional way and not out of a packet, crams in 775 calories and 66 grams of fat. Unsurprisingly, Newsweek.com made it into the number one spot on the list of biggest winter killjoys. Celery stick not included. 

Landlord Clean-up

Our lease is up for renewal, so our landlord has finally gone about sprucing up the building. They’re changing the taxi-standard pine tree air freshener in the elevators once every three months now instead of every six.

Shopping Hangover

The saying goes that with certain unpleasant activities, you do it because it feels so good when it stops. For us, Holiday shopping can be like that, making the prospect of exchanging “unwanteds” all the more onerous. Not to worry, Breakaway can deliver all your returns. We don’t mind at all.

Same Day, Good Day

We’ve often noted in this page that Breakaway has vehicles, including lift-gate trucks, that can handle all sorts of loads. But, did you know that they also go out of state? We can deliver as far as Washington D.C. With offices in New York and Boston, we’ve basically got the Northeast Corridor covered.

Boot Call, Part Deux

After our last story regarding Windows 7, we got quite a few suggestions, so we’re including them in this month’s newsletter. Here are some more things to do while waiting for your computer:

• Buy more apps with your iPhone.
• Play scratch-off lottery ticket.
• Make a run to the deli.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked who accompanied Saint Nicklaus during his rounds in Germany on Christmas Eve. Answer: Knecht Ruprecht, a dwarf that accompanied Santa, and who’s job it was to beat naughty, unruly children with a switch. Harsh!

T-Shirt Question

Most countries in the modern world celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1^st, but this wasn’t always so. What date was considered New Year’s Day in England up until 1752? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 12 December 2009

Xmas Tidings  

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have both come and gone, and now you have a big pile of gifts blocking your foyer. No worries; Breakaway can help make that pile disappear! Whether you need a gift couriered or want to hire a messenger by-the-hour to help organize, we’ve got you covered better than a whole troop of elves. Without pixie dust, even!

Schedule Tidings  

This holiday season, both Christmas and New Year fall on a Friday. Please be aware that Breakaway will be closed on Friday the 25^th, and Friday, January 1^st.

Inverse Relationship

Gadgetry and technology are supposed to make our lives easier. However, there seems to be an inverse relationship between gadgets and stress. The more gadgets, the more stress! Case in point: the messenger who came into HQ the day and said, “I can’t wait to throw this &*&^!! radio off the Empire State Building!”

Customer Quote

“Yes, I’ll have the double-rush with the mint swirl. Make sure you send the cute messenger!” We kid you not.

 No Butts About It

It goes without saying that as bicyclists, we’re a little jealous about guarding our cardiovascular health. Consequently, no cigarettes. Which is why we’ve declared war on people who smoke in the Breakaway compound’s stairwell. The foul odor wafts its way into our offices, and lingers in the stairwell for a good long while. We’re trying to increase the sensitivity of the stairwell sprinklers while quadrupling its water output. Take that!

Neil Goes Pro

Breakaway messenger turned bike racer Neil Bezdek! It is with great pride that we announce that Neil recently signed with the Mountain Khakis Pro Racing team. We wish Neil all the best, and fervently hope that racing while wearing khaki doesn’t chafe too much.

Booting Call

Windows 7 has arrived (finally), yet we note that boot time is exactly the same as Windows XP, roughly about 1 minute. Things to do while waiting:

• zap coffee in the microwave
• tie cubicle mate's shoelaces together

Stump the Band

Last month we asked which president moved Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to its current location on the calendar. Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt. He moved it up in the year to give a boost to holiday sales during the Depression.

T-Shirt Question

At Christmas, of course, we await the arrival of jolly Saint Nicholas. In Germany, however, Nick has a sidekick who tags along with him. What is this sidekick’s name, and what is his function? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 11 November 2009

In Gratitude  

It’s November, and you know what that means: travel! Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday in the country, which makes shopping a hazard. Unless, that is, you call Breakaway and have us pick up your order and deliver it for you. We can deliver all manner of Thanksgiving items, large or small, to anywhere you need.

Marching Along              

Another thing November means, especially in New York, is the annual Macy’s Day Parade.  The darn thing gets bigger and bigger every year, with more new balloons. Let’s hope the riggers can keep the balloons under control.

“Virtual Me” Beta

The world is going virtual, and now, we want to help you take advantage of this with “Virtual Me,” a new service being tested by Breakaway. One of our couriers, equipped with a live broadcast camera, can “stand in” for you at any site, allowing you to see what’s going on away from your office. The project is now being beta tested, and we’re looking for customers who see a need. An architect, for instance, who needs to do a site visit but is strapped for time. For details, call 212-947-7777 x 8383.

Crawl Out the Vote

Election day for New York City is right around the corner, but a cursory sampling of the city’s populace shows that nearly everyone has voter fatigue, or simply can’t muster up the energy to care. We urge our fellow, fatigued citizens to do their civic duty.

Bronx Cheer

Best of luck to the Yankees as they look to secure their twenty-seventh World Series title. We have no doubt the Bombers will make short work of the Sillies…er…Phillies.

Our Glorious Burden

Thank you to everyone who responded to our query as to whether or not we should “go green” and put the newsletter online. The response was a resounding, “Nay!” We were not only surprised by how lopsided the vote was, but we were also taken aback at the vigor of many of the responses. We bow to public demand, and will continue to print the newsletter as is. Now, please put the pitchforks away.

Swine and Dine

While traveling around New York, we noticed a liquor store in Washington Heights that recently changed its name, from “Sanchez Liquor” to “S’ Wine and Spirits.” Unfortunately, the web address on the awning is swinespirit.com. Hmm…Swine Spirit? Well, that explains the hogs lined up outside the door.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know what town the glen of Sleepy Hollow was located in. The answer: Tarrytown, New York.

T-Shirt Question

Abe Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving, and subsequent presidents followed suite, except one. Which president changed this, and why? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 10 October 2009

Brooklyn by Bicycle

Last month, we started it, and boy are we glad. By the looks of things, you are also! Breakaway’s bicycle courier service to Brooklyn has been a runaway success. Since instituting the service, delivery volume to the Brooklyn zones has doubled. Who says Brooklyn gets no respect?

All Hallows Eve           

It’s October, and soon lots of ghouls, goblins, and ghastlies will roam the streets of Gotham. Surprisingly, almost all of them will be no larger than a 10-year-old child. However, we hear you can keep them at bay with sugary confections. If you need such ghoul-bane delivered to you, our fearless messengers are ready.

Beatle Infestation

It’s been thirty-six years since the Beatles first came to the Big Apple, and there are still legions of die-hard fans out there. The proof? The prodigious amounts of Beatle music playing all over the streets, especially at Starbucks. Now, that’s longevity!

Root of All Ills

Not of the world or anything existential, but for us, the root of all headaches is bad information. Packages can only speak with a label. Please label all delivery items thoroughly. The source of many delays stem from lack of information on shipping labels. Building mailrooms are notorious for discarding mute packages.

Give Some Love

Halloween isn’t the only holiday in October. Friday, the 16^th turns out to be National Boss Day. So go ahead; give the big boss their coffee, with cream, and two lumps…of sugar?

Web Ordering

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that you needn’t resort to the phone when you want to place an order. You can do so online. It’s fast, easy, and you don’t have to log off Facebook to do it. Which brings us to our next story…

Online is Fine

Or is it? We at Breakaway are pondering whether or not to go green and cease paper publishing of our newsletter. Instead, all future content will be online for all to see. This is one area where we’re reaching out to you for feedback. How do you feel about not receiving this letter with your bill?

We want to know. Email us:

news@breakawaycourier.com

Stump the Band

Last month we asked what the average commute time to work was. The answer: 24.3 minutes per day are spent commuting, on average. Bonus answer: Each American spends, on average, about 100 hours per year commuting to and from work.

T-Shirt Question

Halloween is the perfect time for the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. In what town was the glen of Sleepy Hollow actually located in? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 9 September 2009

East River Corridor

Breakaway has deployed bicycle couriers to Brooklyn and Queens, greatly reducing the cost of hand deliveries to certain neighborhoods. For packages less than 15 lbs., you can now order a bicycle messenger to areas along the “East River Corridor” close to bridge access, such as DUMBO, Williamsburg, Park Slope, L.I.C and more. Local rates start at $10.50. Going into Manhattan can be as low as $13.10. Call Andrew Young, x8322, for more details.

Summer Bummer

The coming of September heralds the end of summer, and the bucolic days of lazing about. For your children, it’s back to school. Breakaway can handle all sorts of back-to-school supplies, from individual notebooks, to new computer equipment and desks. We will do your deliveries with such great care, that it deserves an A.

Labor Day 

Labor Day weekend sure does help ease the melancholy of a return to school, cool weather and shorter days. We know we plan on a barbeque. Don’t forget to call Breakaway to deliver any items you need to make your BBQ perfect. Heck, don’t forget to invite us, either!

Life’s Grand (Street)

Here’s a first. One of our messengers picked up a package from 107 Grand Street in Brooklyn, and delivered it to 107 Grand Street in Manhattan.

Overheard

On the corner of 5^th and 23^rd street, one tourist to another: “See! They cross whether it says ‘don’t walk’ or not. There’s something we just don’t understand about them.”

Just one of the thousands of titillating conversations heard by our messengers everyday.

Web Orders

More and more, the world is wired together. That’s good and bad. Good in the sense that you can place your orders for Breakaway online, track packages, and manage your address book. Bad in the sense that our web address won’t make you coffee, nor will you experience the pleasure of talking to one of our dulcet-toned CSR’s.

Ahead of the Curve

New York City just recently passed a bill requiring buildings to allow bicycle access for workers who commute by (of course) bicycle. The law also states that commercial parking garages have to provide one bike parking slot for every ten car spaces. No word in the bill regarding hovercraft or jetpacks.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know what the lowest temperature ever recorded in Central Park was. The answer: 14.3 below zero, on February 10^th, 1934.

T-Shirt Question

Labor Day is a celebration of the working man (and woman!), but getting to work can be a job in itself. What is the average commute time to work? As a bonus, what is the average amount of commuting time each year? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 8 August 2009

Court Jester 

With the economic slowdown, and the bucolic summer days, some of our messengers have some extra down time. Breakaway is rolling out a new service: court jester. For a fee of $29.95/hour, our courier will don full fool costume, in the heraldic colors of your choosing. Jester paraphernalia (rattles and the like) is optional.

Sales Force     

Breakaway has a new salesman, William Stepp.  He is also known as Wild One or W1. Don’t be surprised if W1 pays a visit.

Speaking in Angles

With down time on our hands and tourists all over, we’ve done a study of people’s neck angles and what they communicate. An angle of zero (eyes straight ahead) is neutral. Tilted up 90 degrees: lost tourist. Tilted down 45 degrees: just laid off. Laterally flexed between 50 & 60 degrees: habitual cell phone user. Tilted down 45 degrees with twitchy thumbs: habitual texter. You can join the fun also; all you need is a protractor.

Congrats Contador

Breakaway congratulates Spaniard Alberto Contador on his Tour de France victory. Cool as a cucumber, faster than a speeding bullet, and able to climb like a billy goat, Contador convincingly beat the field for his second Tour title. Ole!

Courier-by-the-Hour

You’ve laid off half your staff but now you need someone to come in for just a few hours. You could hire someone part-time, or you could rent one of our couriers by the hour. For a fee, our courier will become Guy/Gal Friday, and perform any task within reason. Call our sales department for details.

Roadside Seating

So far, so good. It seems that Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to convert some stretches of city street into outdoor seating space is going smoothly. A recent jaunt to the outdoor space in front of Macy’s at Herald Square found almost all chairs in use, and a chess fair going on.

Wither Thy Bone!

A recent study showed that pro bicyclists, as well as extremely strong amateurs, are at risk for developing osteopenia, a lost of bone density. This is just a step below osteoporosis, or softening of the bone. The real culprit seems to be loss of calcium through sweat. So, eat your greens, drink your milk, and watch your electrolytes!

Stump the Band

Last month we asked what bicycle the protagonist of the movie “Breaking Away” rode and loved. Answer: Dave, the protagonist, rode a bicycle manufactured by Masi.

T-Shirt Question

Now that the summer heat and humidity are finally here, we thought we’d ask this: What was the lowest temperature ever recorded in Central Park? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 7 July 2009

Happy Fourth

Independence Day is just around the corner. Make sure your barbecue grill is ready, the burgers are bought, and you have a clear view of the fireworks. If you need last minute supplies for your Fourth B.B.Q fest, we have some very patriotic messengers who will answer the call of duty. As it is a Federal holiday, Breakaway will be closed July 3^rd.

Open Secret

We write about it often, but surprisingly, some of our customers aren’t aware that we also offer  trucking services. Yes we move frieght over 100 lbs. If you are among those who thought we do nothing but bicycle deliveries, give us a call. You’ll find that our cargo service is just as fast as our bicycles.

Watch Your Step!

This June is on track to be the sixth rainiest ever. As a result, the parks and forests of New York are incredibly lush and green. Just make sure that the patch of green you go traipsing through isn’t poison ivy. Of course, you could always do your traipsing in a hazmat suit which we can deliver to you.

Lance and France

July 4^th not only marks Independence Day, it’s also the start of Tour de France.  Lance Armstrong will be riding this year, after a four year absence. If you call Breakaway and get no answer, we may be glued to online coverage during an exciting stage. We know you’ll understand.

Complementary

We have received more than a few calls recently praising our fast service. Thank you. Please remember to tell the messenger also.  It goes a long way toward making their day special. 

Caught in our Web

No, we don’t mean some nefarious plot to take over the world. Rather, we encourage people to place orders online. In addition to placing orders, you can update your account’s address book, access online billing, and even track your package. Check us out, at www.breakawaycourier.com.

Going Somewhere?

The English language just recently added its one millionth word. Among the new entries in the lexicon: staycation; taking time off but not going anywhere. Words vanishing from the lexicon include: vacation, newspaper, and pension.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked when Boston’s The Globe stopped publishing The Boston Evening Globe. Begun in 1878, The Boston Evening Globe ceased publication in 1979, more than 100 years after its inception.

T-Shirt Question

Bryant Park in NYC just recently screened “Breaking Away,” a coming of age film featuring bicycle racing. What brand of bicycle did the film’s protagonist own and adore? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 6 June 2009

Enlightened Delivery

Breakaway has already hit the heights in the mundane world of city messengers. Now, we’re about to hit nirvana! Our liftgate driver C803, made a special delivery for the Dalai Lama’s throne to Webster Hall. His Holiness personally thanked Elbert for the delivery at 3 AM, at which point our driver came to enlightenment. Since he’s one of our drivers, we can honestly say that’s good car-ma!

Back to the Future

The Post reported in May that commuting by bicycle in New York City jumped by 143%. An estimated 185,000 people cycled to work in 2008, compared to 76,000 in 2000. The reason is two-fold; miles of new bike lanes, making cyclists feel safer, and the economy, which squeezes owning a car in the city. One cycle commuter estimates it saves him $260 per month. We’ve seen the future, and it has two wheels.

The BikeDoctor Is In

Is your bicycle not in good shape? Not pedaling well? Fitted improperly? Contact our resident expert bike mechanic James Lao. James, a former Breakaway Courier, is a world-class bike mechanic, and he’s set up shop on the ninth floor here at BreakawayHQ.  jlao@breakawaycourier.com

Marketing Messengers

It has occurred to some of our P.R. customers that they can utilize our courier’s ubiquitous street presence to promote their client’s products, services and latest releases. We have been commissioned to distribute or promote new products from beverages to shampoo. If you have an item to promote, call our sales department to engage our couriers in some very effective gorilla marketing.

June Bugs

June isn’t known for holidays, but there are a bunch of national days and some observances. Our favorites: National Adopt-a-Cat month, Potty Training Awareness Month, National Iced Tea Month, National Clay Week. Birthdays include June 1^st for Oscar the Grouch, and June 30^th for Superman.

Street Closures

The city has now closed Broadway to traffic at two locations; from 47^th street to 42^nd street, and from 35^th to 33^rd street. We’re watching this closely and we urge customers to bear these closings in mind when calling in deliveries that require a vehicle in those locations.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked for the names of the two pitchers who signed on to star in a police drama with David Janssen, and the movies name. The answer: Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, in the movie, “Warning Shot.” Drysdale was to play a TV commentator and Koufax a detective.

T-Shirt Question

Newspapers are endangered these days, although the Boston Globe is still going. There used to be a Boston Evening Globe. When did it stop publishing? The first person to call Andrew Young(x8322) with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 5 May 2009

May Is For Mom

This means you’d better be nice and get that package full of love and gratitude to her on a direct rush, or you’ll never hear the end of it! Not to worry; large package or small envelope, Breakaway has you covered six ways to that second Sunday in May.

Naming Rights

With all our big financial institutions paying big money for naming rights at sports arenas, Breakaway has decided that we’re not to be outdone! After this month, the dugout section of the teeball field in the north east corner of Van Cortlandt Park will be called Breakaway Dugout. And it only cost us a hot dog and some baseball cards!

Gil’s Got Wheels

Our indispensable Gil Ortiz just recently bought a bicycle. Living in upper, upper Manhattan, he doesn’t have a short commute to Breakaway HQ, but we’re confident that he’ll be scorching the bike path in no time.

Whale of a Tale

Brooklyn residents near the Verrazzano Bridge were treated to a rare sight: a humpback whale in New York Harbor. He had called us on his cell-conch three days prior for a lift-gate Rush order of gefilte fish. The order was a little difficult to take, because only one staffer here speaks high-pitch humpback. Our trucker pushed the whole order into the harbor at Old Slip, whereupon the happy cetacean headed home. We’re told the rest of his pod will open an account soon.

A Spacious Trunk

Our new cars? Nope, our cargo bicycles! Our trucks aren’t the only ones able to haul a lot! Give our cargo bikes a try. You’ll be amazed at what a bike can carry.

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, from Breakaway Courier to all our veterans, who gave their all for our country. Here’s hoping our forces deployed in hot spots around the world get home safe.

Cinco de Mayo

Breakaway wants to wish everyone a safe and happy Cinco de Mayo. Contrary to widespread belief, this is not Mexican Independence Day; that’s in September. Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. But hey, it’s still a great excuse to drink beer and eat taquitos!

Stump the Band

Last month we asked when and where the first telephone line was installed. The answer: April 4^th, 1877, the first line was installed from the home of Charles C. Williams’ home in Somerville to his office in Boston.

T-Shirt Question

In 1966, two pitchers signed on to star in a police drama movie with David Janssen. Who were the pitchers, and what was the name of the movie? The first person to call Gil Ortiz (646-674-8323) with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 14 Issue No. 4 April 2009

April Foolishness

Hopefully, our savvy customers didn’t get fooled too badly this April 1^st. If you managed to avoid the water bucket perched on the door, the whoopee cushion, and the rubber spider on the keyboard, congrats! If you managed to get someone with the aforementioned pranks, congrats!

Store and Pack 

So, you have tons of party favors to get ready for a big event, limited manpower, and no place to store the items. Call Breakaway! We can store the goods, and our messengers can help pack each gift bag. Our professional truckers will see that the items reach their destination safe and sound.

Tour de Klutz

First Tyler Farrar in Milan-San Remo, then Lance in the Vuelta de Castilla Y Leon. Both American bicycle racers broke their collar bones in the middle of their respective races. Not an especially auspicious start for the Americans during the Spring classic races in Europe. There were also reports of suspiciously high numbers of banana peels on the road during both races.

Own Words

“I never really had anything crazy happen to me on delivery. One thing you realize, going office to office, is that each building has its own personality. I went into this one building on Union Square, and accidentally got off on the wrong floor. So, I hit the button for the elevator. Then, I noticed that the walls were covered with giant crossword puzzles. A sign on the wall read, ‘Our elevators are REALLY slow. Amuse yourself with the crosswords while you wait.’ At least the people there were considerate!”

As told by messenger M510.

Holiday Bonanza

April is jam-packed with holidays, religious and otherwise. Just a few this month: Passover (8^th), Easter (12^th), Earth Day (22^nd), Take our Sons and Daughters to Work Day (23^rd), Arbor Day (24^th), and others, including Eggs Benedict Day (16^th). Remember, Breakaway can deliver goods for you on any of these special days for all your holiday needs, even the Hollandaise sauce.

Spring Fever

Global warming may be a reality, but it was still a cold, miserable winter. Our messengers are champing at the bit for some warm weather to ride around in. We want to thank all our hardcore riders who stuck it out this winter, and delivered no matter what.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked which Revolutionary War hero had a park drive and circle named after her. The answer: Mary Corbin, who took her husband’s post at his cannon after he was killed. Mary Corbin Circle and Drive are located in Fort Tryon Park.

T-Shirt Question

When and where was the first telephone line installed? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway t-shirt. (Court st, Boston, April 1877)