Breakaway News Volume No. 11 Issue No. 2 February 2006

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 new year is 4702, the Year of the Dog. Like man’s best friend, people born in the Year of the Dog are considered to be loyal, honest, and inspire confidence. Woof!

February Feeling

It’s February, and you know what that means. No, not the Super Bowl, you sport’s nut. We’re talking about Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Tuesday this year. As always, if you have a last minute gift you want to deliver to your love interest, Breakaway can rush it to her (or him) faster than cupid can re-knock his bow with an arrow. As long as it isn’t Axe body spray.

Please, Allow Us!

Another holiday season has come and gone, and once again you got a really ugly sweater from Uncle Ike. Problem is, you don’t have the time to exchange it. Well, fear not! For a reasonable price, one of our messengers will take that sweater and exchange it for you. For that matter, you can hire a messenger by the hour for whatever needs doing: filing papers, walking the dog, feeding the cat; anything within reason. Sorry; “hits” on other persons not allowed.

Cell Phone Chatter

"Hello? Jimmy? Yes, thank you! Yes, I couldn’t have done it with out you! What? Yes? Thank you! No, no, thank you!

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

History’s Lessons

February is Black History Month here in the States (there’s one in Britain, also), a time when Americans celebrate the memories of Black leaders sung and unsung, from Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois to Rosa Parks to Malcolm X. History is still being made though. So, don’t just look back; look ahead, too.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked you to tell us the meaning behind the Mets’ official uniform colors. 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. This generated great controversy and a lot of different answers, including a 15-page fax. Most popular of the alternative answers we received was that these are also New York State’s official colors. Numerous calls to Pataki’s office, State officials and Mr. Met failed to sort out the controversy, so we’re sticking with our original answer. So, there!

T-Shirt Question

What is the motto written on M.I.T.’s seal, and what does it mean? The first person to call John Handrik with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway coffee mug.