Rhubarb.

On a scale of one to ten, with one being the worst thing since David Bowie rocking spandex in The Labyrinth and ten being the greatest thing since the Sue Simmons' "What the eff are you doing?" video, where would you put rhubarb? Prior to breakfast this morning, I would have put it at around 9. But post breakfast, rhubarb has plunged into its own little economic crisis, as far as Mary Ann is concerned. I now give rhubarb a 2.

Come on rhubarb. Stop messing with me and follow the path of the orange - consistently deliver tastiness.

Be sure to take the new survey!

What are your thoughts on voodoo? I want to know! Take the survey on the upper left hand side of this blog. Just don't get on Wikipedia to research the topic. And don't watch the "The Witches of Eastwick". It'll mess you up!

Remember to take the survey!

Dear Readers -

You only have a few days left to take the survey in the upper left hand corner of the blog. Let me know what you think of the new (well, not so new anymore) site design. Also, if you have any suggestions about features, etc. you would like to see on the blog, leave them in the comments section.

Ciao.
Mary Ann

BREAKING NEWS: Old people are slow, regardless of region

In an earlier post entitled "A few observations since I left America," I made the comment that old people in Sydney are marginally quicker (as in speed of walking) than old people in America. Well, shoot that theory in the foot because I was dead wrong.

I did a bit of research yesterday. I noticed that my earlier hypothesis of old people being a bit more sprite here might have been premature as I had begun to notice A LOT of old people moving VERY slowly. How could this be? I had just seen the oldest man alive pedaling a bike uphill at a relatively fast speed only weeks ago! I had several ideas, so I did a mini survey while I walked across the bridge at Darling Harbor on my way home.

Some of you might find it weird to go up and ask people for directions even when you know exactly where you're going, but I had a plan. Maybe these slow geriatrics are tourists. Maybe AUSTRALIAN old people are still quick and lively. Well, after polling about 15 different couples, I learned that my initial forecast was wrong: Old people are slow the world over. The Italians in particular are a slow group, but I'm thinking that's because they prefer to stroll. It's the Bulgarians we need to watch out for: Those people can't walk fast even when they TRY. My god, can you imagine getting behind a Bulgarian grandmother in traffic? For Christ sake...you'd be there for days!

And for those of you that are thinking that I'm mean for judging old people, you're probably also right when you secretly hope I'll be a slow old person. I'll tell you right now that the minute I turn 70, shuffling will be my only means of transport. In a hurry? Tough shit. Just try to get around me and my walker.