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Addicted to Crime? Criminals Anonymous Offers a Path to Change
2024-12-08
In Northeast Portland, around 60 individuals gather in a large, open room. Some sip coffee while others engage in conversation. As a woman begins, the low rumble of talk quickly fades. She states, "Our primary purpose is to remain crime-free," reading from a laminated sheet. This setting may seem familiar to those attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous sessions, but this meeting has a distinct purpose.

The Birth and Growth of Criminals Anonymous

Criminals Anonymous started six years ago in an Oregon prison. Two men, Harold R. "Bear" Cubbedge and Zane Grey Macziewski, bunkmates at Columbia River Correctional Institution, wanted to prove a prosecutor wrong by showing they could change. Now, the group has chapters meeting weekly in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Lincoln counties. Participants pledge to follow 12 steps to halt their "endless cycles of misery and disappointment." They range from young adults to those in their 50s with criminal records. One woman even attended using a walker.

Section 1: The Participants and Their Stories

These individuals have engaged in various criminal activities such as shoplifting, stealing cars, dealing drugs, and assault. Jacquinetta Suzette "Suzy" Leon, 43, helps lead the weekly Wednesday night meetings. Her father was a member of a Mexican drug cartel, and she grew up immersed in drugs and crime. She understands the allure of the criminal lifestyle. Another participant, Kenneth, shared his harrowing story. His first drinking buddy was his mother, who gave him alcohol at 6. He tried various drugs and ended up on the streets of downtown Portland. But through Criminals Anonymous, he found hope and is now 27 months sober and crime-free.

Section 2: The Founding and Principles

Cubbedge and Macziewski drafted 12 steps and 12 precepts. The first step is acknowledging the attachment to crime and the unmanageability of their lives. The first precept emphasizes believing in the goodness within themselves and others. Cubbedge drew inspiration from books by the Dalai Lama and other philosophers. They convinced prison staff to use a classroom to prove their point. A motley group of mostly "lethargic guys" initially gathered but became engaged when discussing their best "boosting" techniques. This showed them their addiction to crime.

Section 3: Impact and Support

Harold R. "Bear" Cubbedge, now 7 years crime-free, is a testament to the group's success. He graduated from a judge's specialty court for repeat property offenders. Judge Eric J. Bloch has seen the difference Criminals Anonymous can make. John Fitzgerald, a counselor, believes the definition of addiction has expanded. Christina Anderson from Volunteers of America sees how the group allows people to reimagine themselves.Cubbedge and Macziewski openly discuss their criminal histories. Cubbedge started stealing at a young age in Daytona Beach and had a troubled life. Macziewski was raised by an alcoholic and drug addict and stole daily to pay for drugs. After their release, they worked to establish Criminals Anonymous outside the prison.Simon Cheesman, who ran a business that went downhill and turned to drug dealing, found hope in Criminals Anonymous. Addison "Addy" Blackmon III, addicted to drugs for decades, also credits the group for giving him a conscience.Leon, the meeting leader, became addicted to methamphetamine at 12. After being caught in a drug-related case, she found support in Criminals Anonymous. She has spent 17 months crime-free and is now an outpatient counselor and recovery mentor.Members of the group pursue "fields of merit" like community service and fundraisers to make amends. Crystal Gallaher has seen her friend's journey through recovery and the positive impact of Criminals Anonymous.In conclusion, Criminals Anonymous offers a path to recovery and a sense of community for those with criminal backgrounds. It shows that change is possible and that there is hope for a better life. For more information, visit crimanon.org.
If You're an Indiana Jones Fan, Check Out These Adventure Games
2024-12-08
After months of eager waiting, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has now made its debut on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a forthcoming release on PS5 early next year. Fans of Indiana Jones are thrilled to finally have a high-budget game to immerse themselves in. Indiana Jones has been a part of numerous games in the past, many of which left a bit to be desired. However, based on the reviews, his newest adventure stands out by a wide margin.

Uncover the Best Games for Indiana Jones Fans

Uncharted

In Uncharted 4, the final game of the Uncharted quadrilogy by Naughty Dog, Nathan Drake makes a daring leap into the back of a jeep. This globe-trotting adventure series allows you to step into the shoes of Nathan Drake, a world-class adventurer who seems like Indy's long-lost son. The entire quadrilogy is readily available at a very affordable price on PlayStation. There's no reason not to jump in and experience the excitement for yourself.Uncharted isn't your typical archaeologist-driven game, but if you're seeking adventure, mystery, and treasure hunting, it's the perfect choice. It takes you on a thrilling journey around the world, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Tomb Raider

Lara Croft leaps over a cliff in front of a large, overgrown temple in Rise of the Tomb Raider by Crystal Dynamics. People often compare Uncharted to a Tomb Raider rip-off, but why not go straight to the source? Lara Croft is not only a treasure hunter and a globe-trotter but also an archaeologist, just like Indy. The modern Tomb Raider trilogy, including 2013's Tomb Raider and its sequels, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, is truly remarkable. It's available on almost every platform except the Switch and can often be purchased for just a few dollars.This trilogy offers a similar sense of adventure and exploration as Indiana Jones, with Lara Croft facing various challenges and uncovering hidden treasures.

Phantom Abyss

Phantom Abyss is one of the more recent additions to the list. It was released in full in January 2024 after a lengthy early access period on Steam. In this first-person action adventure game, you play as Indy himself, running through trap-protected temples while wielding a whip in hand. It's a fast-paced and extremely fun experience, and it stands out as one of the best games on Steam.The game's attention to detail and the sense of being in the shoes of Indiana Jones make it a must-play for fans.

Broken Sword

In Broken Sword, you play as George Stobbart, a patent officer and bail bondsman who finds himself in wild situations all over the world. The game is packed with adventure, ancient temples, and numerous riddles to solve. It's not your typical Indiana Jones game, but it definitely fits the bill when it comes to providing an exciting and immersive experience.George Stobbart's journey takes him to different corners of the world, encountering various obstacles and mysteries along the way.

Wolfenstein

BJ Blazkowicz stands atop a mountain of Nazi helmets in the key art for Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus by MachineGames / Bethesda. If you love the part of Indiana Jones where he takes down Nazis, then the Wolfenstein series is for you. Particularly MachineGames' modern series, it's a first-person shooter that also doubles as a brilliant action-adventure game. BJ Blazkowicz is a fantastic protagonist who, like Indy, has a talent for taking out Nazis. You'll find yourself engaged in intense battles throughout The New Order and The New Colossus.MachineGames even went on to develop Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and you can see the shared DNA between the games, making it a natural starting point for those looking forward to the latest Indy game.

Escape Academy

Solving mysteries and escaping from dangerous situations are two of Indy's specialties, and Escape Academy allows you to enhance your skills in these areas. This indie co-op game is essentially a series of themed escape rooms that test your puzzle-solving and teamwork skills. You'll feel like an Indy-in-training as you work together with friends or partners to overcome the challenges.It's a great little experience that offers a unique and engaging gameplay.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Okay, hear me out. On the surface, Tears of the Kingdom may not seem like it fits the Indiana Jones mold. It's a fantasy world with goblins, magic spells, and time travel, which don't seem to align with the Indy vibe. But think about it. Travelling the world, solving puzzles in shrines, and diving into temples to extract magical relics - that's where the similarity lies. It might be a bit of a stretch compared to some other games on the list, but sometimes it's all about the feeling, and Tears of the Kingdom has that special something.The game offers a diverse and immersive world that keeps you engaged as you explore and uncover its secrets.

Crash Bandicoot

In some levels of the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy, you'll have to run through tricky courses while avoiding a giant boulder. While it's hard to say for sure if these levels were directly inspired by Indiana Jones, given that the first level with this gimmick specifically references Raiders of the Lost Ark, it's likely that there's a connection.Crash Bandicoot's adventures take you on a wild ride through different themed stages, adding an element of excitement and challenge to the gameplay.
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Diablo 4's General Manager Disdains "Ready When Ready" Phrase
2024-12-06
Blizzard Entertainment has long been renowned for its stance of not setting release dates for games. In the early 2000s, when asked about upcoming titles like World of Warcraft, the Blizzard staff would consistently reply with "It’ll be ready when it’s ready." This philosophy emphasized the importance of quality over time. Legend has it that this mantra dates back to the first Diablo, which was supposed to be released for Christmas 1996 but came out in January 1997 due to a last-minute delay. Despite missing the holiday sales window, Diablo was acclaimed and sold well, proving the old game industry maxim that a delayed game is eventually good, but a bad game is bad forever.

Rod Fergusson's Disagreement

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo franchise and a senior leader at Blizzard, has a different perspective. During a recent video interview, when asked about the 15-month gap between the release of the base Diablo 4 and the Vessel of Hatred expansion, he expressed his dislike for the "it’ll be ready when it’s ready" phrase. He recalled that when he first joined Blizzard and saw a slide with this phrase, he immediately demanded its removal. Fergusson believes in the power of schedules and deadlines and objects to the passive "ready when it’s ready" thinking on a philosophical level.He explained, "It takes the agency away from the team. Saying 'it’s ready when it’s ready' means the team doesn't have control over what they're building. You control the scope, the schedule, and a bunch of things. The idea that the game has to reveal itself with an unknown amount of content... It's frustrating." Fergusson prefers a more proactive approach, comparing it to growing a flower. He said, "I like to be like, 'Hey, we’re going to grow a flower that’s going to bloom at about this time, and we’re going to make sure that happens because we’re going to do all the right things to make sure it happens.' He emphasized that quality remains his top concern and that the team controls the time and quantity.Fergusson's reputation as a closer precedes his time at Blizzard. Before joining in 2020, he was known for saving troubled productions at Epic Games and Irrational Games. His love for Diablo brought him to Blizzard, where he used to set up three TVs in his house to play with his kids every Christmas. He shared an anecdote about his youngest child, who would spend an hour looking at vendors while they waited to play together.Despite his strong beliefs, Fergusson still didn't disclose when the next Diablo 4 expansion will be out. He believes in controlling the process and ensuring quality but leaves the specific timing up to the team's efforts.
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