The staff turnover at TheWrap in recent months has been an ongoing topic of conversation in LA media circles. What does it all mean? There are differing theories.

Canadian-born journalist Dominic Patten is the latest depart, as of March 8th. After joining the site on a freelance basis in April 2009, he graduated to full-time status a year later, writing the column LA Noir and eventually serving as Sharon Waxman‘s news editor.

“Sharon and I differed upon my role at TheWrap, so I decided it was time for me to leave,” Patten explained via telephone Sunday, surprising us with the separate revelation that he had run the first few miles of the LA Marathon before giving up because of the rain. Patten’s professional background includes stints as a TV host with Canada’s CTV network and as editor of Arts & Life and features, from 2006 to 2008, with the Vancouver Sun. Here’s Patten deconstructing the 83rd Oscars on Fox & Friends:

Patten is currently putting the finishing touches on his first book, 1972: The First Year of the 21st Century. He has also written over the years for Salon.com, the New York Times, and other U.S. outlets.