PalePower

I would add: (21) Becoming overly pissed off and self-righteous when you encounter these traits in other people and condemn them as immediate faults instead of trying to understand where they're coming from. Or, being "too" right. =)

Thanks much, and I look forward to your much helpful feedback!! =)

Hello all, It's been a while since I posted any music. In that time period I've been busy receiving professional composition instruction and my style has matured tremendously! Here's some linkage to my most recent piece, "Con el Alba," which means "With the Dawn." Sadly, it's MIDI, but I still find it pretty fun to listen to. I'm probably going to get this performed live by conservatory students (and hopefully recorded as well) sometime in spring. Anyway, feel free to leave any kind of (constructive) feedback, and enjoy! http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=1045559&t=8364 ~Elizabeth

Michael, Thank you overall. It's nice to hear this stated explicitly. And thanks for your compliments and encouragement; I have some new creations I'd like to share in the near future. =) Hahaha. Maybe so. But, hey, it's true, from my perspective. ~Elizabeth

Hello all, So it's been a little while since I've been here. I came back to the site yesterday to see what was going on, remembering how much I've enjoyed being a part of this community, and was surprised to say that my overall impression was not derived from any particular issue being discussed, but simply by the fact that they still are: how do you maintain interest for that long! Which led me to the greater, semi-scarier realization that: Objectivism is not as important to me as it used to be. Like most (I guess), I used to be a hardcore Randroid immediately after I read her books; they were TRUTH! with-a-capital-T and I had FOUND it! They meant so much to me - the characters, the life presented, the ideas, everything. I felt like my entire self could be summed up in the works as Ayn Rand. Now, as I've gotten a little bit older and have some experiences and knowledge to call my own, I no longer consider myself an "Objectivist," just a person that likes the books a lot. (I realize that category makes up the majority of users on OL.) It's strange to say that knowing how large they loomed in my life before. I've also realized that I've grown somewhat disinterested in pure philosophical discussion, unless I have a personal relationship with the person I'm discussing the ideas with. I'm more interested in the actual events of real life and learning as much about differing perspectives than slapping the "right" ideas over any given situation. How have your experiences been? How have you "grown" with Objectivist ideas? Is Ayn Rand as important to you as when you first accepted and loved her ideas? ~Elizabeth

But the crazy people are the only interesting ones! =D

It sounds like she really cares about staying true to the movie, too. Go Jolie!

Much thanks for the feedback, Jonathan and Peter! I actually have decided to expand this to a full length song on my return from Carnegie Mellon University in mid-August. When I finish with that I shall definitely post it up here. Peter, I've heard of Satie, yes, but I don't believe I've heard much more of his work beyond those all-famous "Gymnopedie" pieces. What do you suggest I move on to? ~Elizabeth

No problem - whenever you're ready.

Woo! I'm definitely interested. I'm currently arranging one of my friend's pieces for a small orchestra, and I have to say that I enjoy arranging and composing for other people as much as I enjoy composing for myself. It requires a whole different approach to writing, and I find it refreshing. Plus it's good experience. I have a pretty wide range - F# below middle C to (sometimes, on good days) a high C, but the tone suffers when I go into high soprano. I'm mostly an alto - my most comfortable notes are those closest to middle C. For perspective, "Golden Song" is in A major. Feel free to e-mail me: my address is IchBinDenkeWille@aol.com. I'd be willing to discuss any ideas you have for the piece, be it arranging, singing it, making demos, what have you. I know a guy who specializes in studio recording so making a relatively cheap (price-wise) demo is definitely an option. Also, if you want any assistance setting it to lyrics, I'm pretty handy with poetry as well -- just an idea. Looking forward to hearing from you! ~Elizabeth

I second that. This guy is talented, but so are so many other people. What has he got that they haven't? Let us see the world reinvented through his eyes - let us experience something new. If your art doesn't offer that, well, bluntly, then it's worthless. ~Elizabeth

Hey folks, here I am again: school's finally ended and I have some time to breathe before heading off to Carnegie Mellon University for the summer, so that means I get to actually post in OL again!! WOO! So what have I been missing?!?!! Also have some new music, written for my friend's short film that will be submitted to the Oxnard Film Festival. Let me know what you think!: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=991623&T=2147 ~Elizabeth

Michael, OUCH. That was half painful/half funny. But I couldn't help cracking up during the last minute or so. Personally, I love my musical comedy, but only when it's intentional and, at the same time, somewhat really talented, like so: But my favorites will always be Victor Borge, and particularly P.D.Q. Bach. YES! ~Elizabeth

Wot!?!? That's a shame, Victor! I understand that this stuff can be addicting and very, VERY time consuming -- one of the reasons I don't post all that frequently or get involved in every conversation or randomly drop out of some that I start myself. I looooove getting into good conversations with interesting people, but I've got piano to practice and five freaking AP courses!!! So I understand. And I'm old-school like you, too -- face to face is the best. Anyway, good luck with all that you'll be doing, and be sure to pop in now and again -- don't completely abandon us! It was awesome meeting you -- it makes me happy just to know you people exist. Angie, it's a shame I didn't really get to talk to you all that much. I wish you and Victor the best! Much love! ~Elizabeth

Victor, As you've probably seen, my take on the concept of evil has dramatically changed since these shootings. It's surprising, to think of it -- I don't believe that my former conviction that evil could not actually exist in true form was weak at all. I honestly did believe that with all of my heart. But something like this? Like this? I mentioned before that this tragedy has affected me much more dramatically than any other world catastrophe. You hear about bombings and murders and deaths every day. I'm used to it. What's one to expect? But I really do think that the Virginia Tech shootings have permanently altered my world view, probably because of my proximity to the situation, physically and mentally. Many of my friends attend or are going to attend Virginia Tech; the college environment is real and present to me with my sister off in college and bringing home stories of all of the new people she meets all of the time. Those people that died were not just names on the news, like stuff like this so often is, but real, living, breathing people, who are now dead. I feel their loss personally. So to answer your question, and discussions that we'd just recently been having, yes, there is evil in the world; yes, Cho was an example of it; yes, that serial killer is one too. It doesn't matter whether they think they're justified or not. What matters is the motivation behind that sense of justification: hatred of life. I didn't think that could be possible in a person. Apparently it is. I guess maybe I should thank this Cho for allowing me to grow up a little bit faster? Funny, somehow I don't feel that grateful. ~Elizabeth