I have a very special love for the oddballs and misfits of the world. And yes, before you think it -- I do consider myself one of them. Proudly.

Perhaps that's why I joined the carnival world of show business so early. Because of my work, I've known my share of musicians, actors, directors, clowns, and even writers. And I cherish all their oddities.

So I want to comment on the world of Lana Clarkson and Phil Spector. I did not know Ms. Clarkson, but can feel for her nonetheless.

Actors, by the very nature of their work, are emotional people. Also part of the magic of working in the industry in LA is that sudden turns in a career are possible. Up as well as down. So for an actress to express depression does not even suggest that suicide will follow.

As for Mr. Spector, I met him a few times at the height of his career. Even then, the site of a tiny man with ruffled cuffs speaking in a simpering voice was a bit creepy.

It's odd that a third-world tycoon would take over the #1 spot as richest man on the planet. Not that it matters, since such astronomical wealth is based on the vagaries of the stock market, but still, something strikes me as, not wrong exactly, but not exactly right about it, either.

As a System Administrator by profession, I've been on the Internet on an almost daily basis since sometime in the mid-to-late 90's. Before (and after) that I was indirectly connected via a UUCP network. I was a webmaster when no one knew what that was. I independently thought of and implemented one of the first intranets. More recently, I've been writing for the second largest women's website - BellaOnline.com.