  We are re-analyzing the MACHO variable star database to explore the
relationships between pulsation, evolution, and mass loss in evolved stars. We
will analyze the multi-periodic properties of long period variable (LPV) stars,
50% of which could not be assigned any period in the original analysis. Recent
results show that the missing stars may be an important element in
understanding the origin of the period-luminosity sequences observed in the
LMC. Our goal is to characterize the morphology and periodic properties of
these stars, and then use the stars' 2MASS colors along with theoretical
isochrones to understand their mass loss and evolution. We will develop a
luminosity-independent criteria to classify the LMC LPVs, which can then be
applied to Galactic LPVs. This will enable a synthesis of knowledge between
LPVs in the LMC and the well-studied Galactic examples.
