But I know what I like

I have a bit of a problem with modern art. I mean, to me, the impressionists are modern, and I only really 'got' them after a trip to the Musee D'Orsay four years ago. I pretty much like my art to be representational, or at least a fairly recognisable depiction of something.

Yet when Cat said that the new Mima was opening yesterday, with fireworks, and the offer of champagne, it sounded good to me. As it was we missed the fireworks, and had to queue to get in - but as a hardened 'queuer', it didn't seem too long, although I could have done without the large scene showing a film of a footballer which was supposed to be art. It's a beautiful building, with clean white lines and lots of glass which fills the place with light.

I did enjoy some of the first exhibition 'Draw' (which, perhaps unsurprisingly was drawings - by one famous painter paired with another modern artist). There are just some bits of modern art I don't get - one exhibit was a piece of black elastic, pinned the length of a wall by two drawing pins - at first I was looking for where the art work was! There were some Picasso drawings, one called Weeping Woman, where I just thought, 'I'd be weeping if I looked like that'!

But, there were others that I really liked (ok, they were the ones that did look like something) and I loved a huge piece by DJ Simpson, which filled one of the rooms. And I think it's great that 'Boro has such a fabulous space. It looks like it has a nice cafe too! But I really think the gift shop needs development - some lovely 'arty' (and expensive) things, but no pens!

Also, did I mention it has a really good fountain?!

The long and winding road

No, this isn't more about the Beatles! This weekend I was in Middlesbrough on Sunday night for a gig.

I guess I'd been to Middlesbrough about twice in my life before a certain November day in 2003. That day I saw Brain Clough and Alistair Griffin switch on the Christmas lights, and saw Alistair perform live for the first time. The road has been long, and full of unexpected twists and turns since then, and has taken me to parts of the country I never thought I'd visit - and a few I'm in no rush to go back to (that'd be Harlow and Swindon then). The state of my poor little car bears witness to this.

On Sunday night I was back in Middlesbrough again to see Alistair perform at a Brian Clough memorial gig in the town hall, as they are trying to raise enough money to put up a statue to Cloughie.

For almost two years after the release of the album, we had only one new song, and now they're coming thick and fast, with more added at almost every gig. And I find this really encouraging as well as exciting, They seem to be a mix of rocky numbers that make you want to jump around like an idiot (and I'm pretty sure that's what I must look like, but I don't care) and slower songs that gently break your heart, although one of my current favourites, Hallelujah, isn't actually one of his own songs, I just think it is perfect for his voice.

Nearly 3 years on, although the inital magic has long since faded, his voice still catches me in a way that I can't describe. He's one of a very few singers whose voice can make me cry, and who makes me just stop and listen. I don't know where this road is going now, any more than I did at the beginning, and perhaps his, and mine will diverge at some point, but it's been one hell of a journey, and one I don't regret for a minute. For a long time now, though, it hasn't been 'all about Al' but also about some very special people I've met along the way.

Ladies of the Northern Division - I salute you and I *heart* all of you