TODAY function: why does it not give an accurate aging value?

Why does this work: =(eg: cell A1 value is 25-May-12)-TODAY() gives value of -5

but this doesn't: =TODAY()-(eg: cell A1 value is 25-May-12) gives value of 05-Jan-00

I would like the second formula to give me a value of 5

I could use a separate column with =DAY(), to give me 5 from =TODAY()-(eg: cell A1 value is 25-May-12), but this seems like an extra step.

Many thanks

oh, that was simple. Thanks!