Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe 'THE KING OF SICK LEAVE' FIRED In New York City, some are calling a 15-year veteran of the city's Department of Corrections "the king of sick leave." Advertisement Forty-nine-year-old officer George Duncan was fired for abusing the sick-leave policy after taking 744 days off in 15 years, an average of one sick day a week, the New York Post reports. "This is one of the more egregious cases in recent years," says DOC spokesman Tom Antennen. "Thankfully, this is the exception, not the rule." Duncan called in sick when he said he had high blood pressure, but health official didn't get elevated readings. He explained medication eased his hypertension just before the health officials tested his blood pressure. LOVE AS ADDICTIVE AS CRACK Love releases the same chemicals in the brain that are just as additive as crack cocaine or heroin, reports Britain's Sky News. "Attraction and lust really is like a drug. It leaves you just wanting more," says Dr. John Marsden, head of the National Addiction Center at the Maudsley Hospital in London. "Being attracted to someone sparks the same incredible feelings no matter who you are. Love really does know no boundaries." Advertisement Sex is a sort of booby-trap to get two people together -- research says the more people have sex together, the more likely they are to bond, and if the relationship ends it has the same effect as going cold turkey from drugs. NORWAY CAR NEEDS DIET The prime minister of Norway's official, new, custom-built top-of-the-line bomb-proof 4-ton BMW needs to go on a diet. "It has to be slimmed down to be registered to carry four people," says Oivind Ostang, an information officer at the office of Kjell Magne Bondevik, the prime minister. "Currently it can only be accepted as a three-person vehicle." The auto registration authority declined to explain what exactly is wrong with the car that can withstand any hand weapon, mine or mortar, the London Telegraph reports. However, it's believed the car is 88 pounds too heavy and that strict Norwegian rules on braking lengths are in question. MUSIC TO CALM TURKEYS Turkey farmers in Britain are being sent relaxation CDs to play for their turkeys -- it's supposed to have a calming effect, reports the Web site the Scotsman.com. The National Farmers' Union has produced a CD with tracks ranging from the "Dawn Chorus," "Wind Chimes," "Whale Sounds" and "Happy Turkeys." Advertisement "It is well known that a stressed bird is more prone to disease," says an NFU spokesman. "Most of its energy goes into being frightened rather than growing and putting on weight -- the CD is designed to find out what type of music calms birds the most."
