Years ago I got an e-mail from a blog reader, who I didn’t know, saying something along the lines of particularly enjoying those posts which were more than just an account of the last few days. I have to say that this has rather haunted me ever since, given that such posts are rather few and far between. Not that I don’t try: as it happens, I have not one but two unfinished draft posts lying around, but I’m disinclined to publish them on the grounds that most people who read this are already sick of being told what I think. (Ideally, I’d have the skills to produce catchy Auto-Tuned music videos on the same themes, but alas.) Ho hum.
Now, for a FAQ:
Q. Why do you have time to blog anyway? Shouldn’t you be working or something? Get a job!
A. That’s actually two questions and a statement, hypothetical you. But anyway: good news! Next week I’ll be starting on this fun research project, so there. And it’s something nice and short-term, so I can still get my travel plans in order for afterwards. More soon.
Now that I’ve laid your mind to rest, let me ramble on about last week for a while. Matt and Caroline (and, for a while, Laura) came round on Wednesday night for wine and Pringles (we don’t change), and since the two of them were staying the night (hmm, yes, hope that was OK with you Tash 
) we were able to loll around into the early hours listening to Bat For Lashes, laughing at drunken photos from Cambridge times and forcing Caroline to sign up for Twitter. And then it was the next morning, whereupon I rashly promised to make scrambled eggs for us all and then felt the incredible weight of peer expectation as they sat and watched. Honestly, never has a mundane task felt more of an achievement than when those eggs emerged onto that toast in a satisfactorily edible state. I know Matt and Caroline – they’d have never talked to me again if they hadn’t…
Friday night was spent with my dad (aww) in the pub (aww) with Jamie J.P. Buxton, whose new book – I Am The Blade – I can show off about by saying that I read an earlier version in manuscript ages ago. But genuinely, if you are looking for a good book for children – this is on the assumption that I don’t have any readers that young – you should totally pick this up, because it’s (a) great stuff and (b) has a sequel on the way if they get hooked. Anyway, it was a lovely evening, although my mum was amused the next day at our abject failure to discuss any people or families. (It was more ‘will 3D TV will catch on?’ and ‘what do we actually know about the middle ages?’ and ‘Tolkien’s a bit of a racist, isn’t he?’ and so on.) Like I said: lovely.
Come to think of it, we also spent quite a bit of time critiquing the shoddy social and economic policies of that genocidal tyrant ‘King’ Uther in Merlin, which is timely given that the show which I pretend to enjoy ‘ironically’ (but really just enjoy) is back back back. Since I feel incapable of sitting down to watch it on my own, it was off to Oliver’s on Sunday for wizard watching and general fun. We also watched Notes On A Scandal which creeped me out even more than it did the first time, and I spent much of the journey home looking out for Judi Dench hiding menacingly in the dark. Brrr.
I know I’ve mentioned Battlestar Galactica a fair bit over the past year or so, but you’ll have to forgive one more as tonight was a very special occasion for me and Katie: the finale! OK, so we do have The Plan and Caprica and all that extra stuff still to watch, but this was essentially the culmination of a long sibling-bonding journey and many, many hours of a truly standout show. And thankfully I think we both felt very satisfied with the ending, which managed to feel like a solid conclusion without being burdened by over-explanation. Which leaves me with only two very important questions to answer: (a) can I really justify buying soundtrack CDs? and (b) what’s next to watch? We’ve talked about Buffy, although that does seem a bit of a mammoth task, and I’ve also heard good things about Firefly. Suggestions welcome.
There have been a few really nice gatherings this past week or so. Joshua came round last Thursday for a combination of beer, crisps and Ghostbusters – another 1980s phenomenon which, like Back To The Future, I can finally chalk up for my life record. (Yeah, relax: I still knew the song.) Actually, talking of the 80s, and just in case the neighbours were wondering what that noise was, Katie arrived home that night bearing the dubious joke gift of a Rick Astley LP. So now I can say I’ve been physically rick-rolled in my life, too.
And then on Sunday a group of us gathered in Camden for drinks and a meal to bid farewell to Robert before he leaves for California. I am jealous, basically But he will be sorely missed for a year, and the rest of us must remember to continue to meet up and drink (frequently) in his honour. *nods seriously* To Robert!
Finally, Saoirse came over this afternoon after school – and ah, she made me feel old by reminding me that I was a Sixth Former once – and we had one of those rambling chats about everything which we haven’t had in a while. (With Katie, too, who confused me later by saying that it was impressively intellectual. Dude, we also watched The Little Princess!)
A ballot paper for the Labour leadership is sitting on my desk. I hope I choose wisely.
OK, regular readers: stop right here. This blog post isn’t meant for you. The only reason I’m putting this out there is because it took me two days to figure it all out for myself, and although certain forum posts found through Google helped me along the way I’ve not yet seen any comprehensive guide to recovering files from corrupt Norton 360 backup disks. It certainly would have sped things up 
So, if anyone else finds themselves in the same situation, this is for you!
Here’s the background. A couple of days ago, a relative inadvertently wiped the data from her PC. Although she had a three-DVD set of a Norton 360 backup, they were refusing to restore anything and Norton’s technical support were – apparently – less than helpful. (Judge for thyself.) I didn’t want to poke around the PC, since I’m not a data recovery expert and didn’t want to overwrite anything, but did bring home the DVDs to have a look if anything could be salvaged.
This is a sample of what was on the disks:
Useful?
However, after searching about some more, it turns out that these backup files were simply the original files but without their file names or extensions! (So much for ‘encryption’ 
)
So, as promised, here’s how to restore at least the file contents:
1. Copy all of the backup files into one folder on your hard drive.
2. Download the supremely excellent TrID, by Marco Pontello. Note: for Windows, and I’m kinda assuming you are a Windows user here, given the circumstances, you’ll need to download both the Win32 zipped package and the ‘TrIDDefs.TRD’ package of file definitions from the bottom of the page.
3. Extract both of these zipped packages into the same folder housing your backup files.
4. Open a command line window at this location. Note: on Windows 7, the easiest way to do this is by holding down the shift key as you right-click on the folder. Then select ‘Open command window here’.
5. Type ‘trid * -ae’ (no quotes) and press enter.
At this point, TrID will run through all of your backup files and attempt to restore their extensions. If you have a large number of files, this may take some time, but it should be obvious that it’s working:
TrID running
P.S. I really don’t recommend you use Norton 360 as a backup solution…
P.P.S. A minor point, but yay once more for Windows 7! For a task like this, little things like grouping and moving files by certain criteria are just extra-easy.
P.P.P.S. If I do get any payment for this, I will definitely be giving some to Marco Pontello, promise.
Selfs (1989-1995 models)
Some more old family cine film has also been resurrected on DVD, so we’ve also been marvelling at footage of my mum toddling into the sea with the help of a As for me… I’m in a bit of a temporary limbo for a week or so until I find out whether my next project is a goer. Plenty of time for the thrilling final season of BSG, then! And also for avid reading of Sophie’s new blog from the US, which is written at the level that I sorta wish my own blog could be written at – particularly her latest post on immigration. Well worth a look.
In the latest instalment of my remedial film education, I sat down this afternoon to watch Back To The Future with dad and Katie. What fun! Indeed, it has just inspired me to prepare a tall glass of chocolate milk for myself – which, as everyone knows, is the sure-fire prerequisite to approaching attractive 1950s American girls in chrome-plated suburban diners and successfully asking them to the dance. Fantabulous!
(Of course, and here’s the weird thing, if I had to travel back in time to make sure that my parents got together I’d be round about the right time to go see that film in the cinema on first release. But then 1980s Britain would hardly be my first choice of time-travelling destination… [cue predictable ‘I wish the same could be said for David Cameron, eh?’ witticism. Aha. I’m here all week.])
Anyway, Back To The Future was a generous DVD loan from Paul last night at Abbi and Paul’s dinner party, also featuring Paul’s brother and cousin. This was my first time visiting their lovely new flat, but the potential for many more parties has already been well observed, assuming that we all band together and get them some more cutlery. (I did wonder, on my way there, what would happen if I ran into one of those public transport knife-searching efforts clutching my little bag of knives, forks, spoons, wine bottles and After Eights… threatening much?) A lovely evening, and delicious food too 
Now, holiday part #2: from Sunday to Thursday I had a wonderful time down in Deal with Oliver, Abi and Abi’s friend Helen. It feels like we did a lot, even though it was hardly packed with strenuous activity, from seaside fish and chips to Jenga Truth or Dare. We watched All About My Mother and the adorable My Neighbour Totoro, as well as lots of Black Books and (my contribution) The Day Today, and just generally had lots of fun – especially during the now infamous ‘why look, we’re running out of lemonade…’ vodka night. (Ahem.) And now, alongside photos, I have some tasty rhubarb jam to remember it by! Yum yum.
Little piggy pig
Always a good combination
Here we all are!
Oliver can never get enough praise for all of his cooking
Helen on It’s (waiting) time.: “Fabulous news, congratulations to you both! X” Jun 8, 21:51
