ANECDOTES PLEASANTRIES

A sampling from the thousands of letters, clippings, articles, and emails sent to us during the past year by our Almanac family all over the United States and Canada.

Illustrations by Tim Robinson

"One Large Pizza to Go, With Peppers, Onions, and Band-Aids" Who knew?

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, pizza-related injuries are now up to around 4,000 a year and range from pizza-cutter wounds and roof-of-the-mouth fork stabbings to delivery people tripping on stairs and a young woman overzealously swallowing her tongue ring amidst the mushrooms. –courtesy of H. O., Shelby, North Carolina

DEPT. OF READY-MADE EXCUSES

Feeling guilty about not getting your exercise or being late? Not to worry!

Researchers now report that watching movies can equate to a light workout because our hearts beat faster when we get immersed in a film. Plus, trying to figure out the plot is good for our brains. Plus, the hearts of moviegoers watching the same flick begin to beat in sync, bringing on a feeling of togetherness. (And, yes: This study was funded by the film industry.) –courtesy of L. P., Antigonish, Nova Scotia

A new study indicates that late arrivers are generally happier and live longer due to an innate sense of calm. This is often tied to optimism, which seems to protect the heart and circulation. (If you try this at work, let us know how it goes.) –courtesy of M. B., Snyder, Texas