This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's interesting about it? Are you having trouble with anything?

What have you been doing lately for your own fitness? Try out any new programs or exercises? Have any questions for others about your training? Want to vent about poor behavior in the gym? Started a new diet or have a new recipe you want to share? Anything else health and wellness related?

I remember this one from the 80's which was viral some time ago for being non-offensive (for its time). There is some outdated language of course.

After years of regular meetings at a local bar, one of a trio of friends stunned his companions by announcing that he was really a woman trapped in a man's body and had finally decided to have a sex-change operation.

Months later, she reappeared at the old haunt and greeted her friends. Both men congratulated her on her appearance and began questioning her about the most painful aspect of the grueling operation.

"Lopping off your dick must have been the worst part," one said, wincing.

"Ummm," she pondered. "No, not really."

"Cutting off your balls, then, decided the other.

"No," she said. "That was bad, but not the worst."

"What was worse than that?"

"Getting my salary cut in half."

Today's problem description: https://adventofcode.com/2024/day/25

Please post your solutions in your own top-level comment. Here's a template you can copy-paste into your comment to format it nicely, with the code collapsed by default inside an expandable section with syntax highlighting (you can replace python with any of the "short names" listed in this page of supported languages):

<details>
<summary>Part 1</summary>

```python
Your code here.
```

</details>

The lecturer was Sarah C. M. Paine (works at the US Naval War College)
I believe the lecture host was The Heritage Foundation.
The lecture was focused on national strategies and motivations.
It touched on the differences between nations she described as maritime powers vs. geographic powers.
The part I'm most interested in watching again was her explanation of the compounding effects of economic sanctions over years/decades.

I believe this interview with Dwarkesh Patel touches on a lot of similar material

However I am 99% certain she delivered a very similar talk to The Heritage Foundation and the person I want to watch the video puts a lot more intellectual value into The Heritage Foundation than they do Dwarkesh Patel...

I'm also pretty sure I saved the heritage foundation video in one of my youtube playlists, but ... it's gone without a trace, and I'm finding no mention of it on The Heritage Foundation website now either.

Thanks and please let me know if I should post this under a more suitable topic.

Today's problem description: https://adventofcode.com/2024/day/24

Please post your solutions in your own top-level comment. Here's a template you can copy-paste into your comment to format it nicely, with the code collapsed by default inside an expandable section with syntax highlighting (you can replace python with any of the "short names" listed in this page of supported languages):

<details>
<summary>Part 1</summary>

```python
Your code here.
```

</details>

Hey everyone,

Growing up, I loved playing board games with friends and family—it was a big part of my life. Now, I’ve moved away, and my girlfriend and some of her family (who live with us) have zero interest in board games.

I’ve tried classics like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Codenames, but they’re not into them at all. I’m really craving some board game time, so I’m thinking about branching out to more approachable games.

Does anyone have suggestions for games that are fun and easy to ease non-gamers into without scaring them off? Or maybe I’m just not starting with the right type of games? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

I bought a cable modem off of eBay. I have contacted the seller.

When I turn it on it sounds like I am listening to a helicopter at low volume. Thumping noises.

I DDGed. It isn't electronic interference. It is on the same spot of my desk that my old cable modem was on.

I'm not sure I can open it or not, but the case has many holes. I may try running the hose attachment from my vacuum cleaner over it to try to get dust out.

Anything else I can try?