Have a Divine "Oh-Nine"! Try Mountain Biking! - by Patty Mooney

Now that we have all emerged from the holiday season brighter, bolder and ever more serious about our personal new year's resolutions, it's time to place our attention once more on our chosen work. The downturn in the economy has undoubtedly touched everyone, many have lost their jobs, and it appears that even some with seemingly immense wealth, could not recover. I am referring here to German billionaire, Adolf Merckle, who, despondent over his financial woes, took his own life last week. This seems ironic when you look at the hundreds of thousands of homeless people who now haunt our streets. I challenge you to take a walk downtown and say hello to a homeless person. Smile at them and give them a coupon for a sandwich at a local deli. The happiness they will return with their gratitude may overwhelm you. This is the sort of action that will free you from a belief system that holds many of us in shackles. Remember, to give is to receive.

We can see that Mr. Merckle so depended on the size of his bank account that when it dwindled, he could not think of a reason to keep on living. This is indeed very sad. Do you have something in your life that you feel passionate about? Think of all the things you can do that cost nothing, that bring joy to your spirit. The principals of Crystal Pyramid Productions love to mountain bike the local trails, and have done so for the last 20 years. This is a pasttime in which exercise is a by-product of having fun! If you like to mountain bike and live in San Diego, let's hook up! San Diego boasts some of the best trails in the world!

If you are interested in learning more about mountain biking, check out this trailer for our documentary "Full Cycle: A World Odyssey." In 1993, Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, intrepid mountain-bike duo, set out on a mountain bike adventure around the world, a la "Endless Summer." They sought the best trails in nine countries, including the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Wales, Switzerland, Greece, Australia, Tahiti and India. Of course, the conclusion is that there is no place like home, but it sure is fun to check out the terrain on the other side of the fence.

This project which was one of the first "reality shows" ever produced, would be impossible to undertake in this day and age. For one thing, imagine carting 900 pounds of video and cycling equipment along with both hot and cold weather gear through the various airports and railroad stations. You'd have to arrive not one or two hours earlier for check-in, but days!

"Full Cycle: A World Odyssey" won over 13 international film festival awards and yet it has never been broadcast on television, as it went straight to home video release. This is a shame, as the cinematography is quite remarkable.

Once again, we wish you a stupendous and awesome 2009. Take some time for yourself and get passionate with your time.