hasanhujairi[dot]com

Sometimes - when stress from daily life and classes get to me - I wonder what it would be like for me to “take off” and choose a completely different path in life.

Many of my friends (real and imaginary) and family are sick of me and my “fads”. Here are some of the jobs I seriously considering for myself over the last few years: Investment Banker, Actuary, Accountant, Musician, Novelist, Pirate, Farmer in Nova Scotia or Cyprus, Street Bum, Politician, Nothing, Cook, Clown, Karate Instructor, Sumo Wrestler, Researcher, University Professor.. and most recently.. an ALCHEMIST.

An alchemist in the pop-cultural sense of the word; finding a way to turn copper into the purist of metals - gold. An so, I imagined that I would have to look up all the written information available - and that is a LOT of information to cover just because alchemy has been practised in (as WIKI states) “Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in Muslim civilization, and then in Europe up to the 19th century” That’s nearly 2500 years or so of trial and error. Much information on this ancient “art” is probably forever lost due to a number of reasons. Here are some of the reasons, as I imagine them: some findings were never written, some were written but hidden, some were written by destroyed, some were written and shared (but yielded no results). It would be fun to dedicate a lifetime looking for something that combines art, science and possibly spirituality; a truly absorbing profession, one would assume (despite the moral stigma).

To be a good alchemist, some of what I would have to do are the following points:
1. Learn ancient languages to figure out whatever writings I could get my hands.
2. Travel the world, dressed like Indiana Jones, and look for “treasures” in the most obscure places.
3. Study science, art, philosophy and whatever else is banded in the field of “alchemy”.
4. Have my own lab in which I would burn the midnight candle, trying to find the answer.
5. Make friends with other alchemists.
6. Have an apprentice to do all the dirty work.
7. Always be dreamy, motivated and kooky.
8. Grow a funny beard and develop a funny accent.
9. Eat Ice cream everyday.
10. Come up with new things I need to do.

Here is a preposterous announcement:

The one thing I am not required to accomplish as an alchemist is to actually find the “elixir of life” and the way to turn copper into gold. Why, you ask? Well.. think of it this way: If I were to magically produce the solution; I would be ending the existence of all other alchemists; I would have ended their jobs. They would have nothing else to strive for in the field of alchemy and would have to look elsewhere. What would happen to their source of income and all the dedication they put into their work? What if they were so close, but I found the answer first? A dream as old as humanity - perhaps - coming to an end. What would the symbolic and literal meaning of such an accomplishment be?

One would have to assume - as Pamuk mentions in passing in his “Black Book” - that alchemists find a secret joy in NOT finding the solution; for their hunt for the answer justifies their search and dedication. (Just as audiences watching an illusionist perform a trick; they (the audience) would rather hear the performer call the trick a piece of magic rather than just a silly slight of hand).

*Gulp* I suddenly don’t feel like suffering the social consequences of such an act.

Shout-out to all alchemists of the world: Do not worry, for I will not challenge you. Enjoy your craft and continue to dream (and I hope to pursue my dreams, as well).