Alright, just take a couple deep breaths and relax. You seem a little worked up about this.

Could you point out where, exactly, I mentioned student pilots? You brought it up first, I can't see where I ever mentioned them in my question... So, no scenario change there.

Traffic pattern altitudes are recommended, not legally mandatory, as far as I'm aware. Can you point out somewhere in the reg it says otherwise? I haven't seen anything yet that prohibits flying at other than recommended TP altitudes.

Careless and reckless for operating VFR in VFR conditions? That's a stretch. Also, as I said, you wouldn't need to fly 500' in the pattern, with 1000' ceiling, you could legally fly 700' AGL at this particular airfield (class E to 700'). So, why aren't you flying the published traffic pattern altitude? Because another regulation (91.155) prohibits you from flying that recommended altitude.

I asked a question here to see if anyone with a better understanding of the FARs could provide a clear answer from the regs, not to get in an argument with the "good idea" police.