Back to the Research Drawing Board

So  I just moved to Alabama with my husband earlier this week. We're so busy getting settled and everything, but amid all the hubub I've found a new way to get excited about and back into my book....

We live five minutes from the university of alabama!!! And they allow non student community members to use their library and online resources (although these are apparently only accessible from the computers within the library)!!! AND I have access to the email addresses for the history and science department faculty members. I've already been in touch with one and we're planning to meet up so he can go over my research and outline. I don't really want to show anyone except my editor and of course blog followers any chapters...thats classified information that is! But I'm excited to have such resources. Through twitter someone invited me to that website called Temple Illuminatus, and theres a page on there called Alchemists Journey...a lot of good information about modern day alchemy being spread around there, if nothing else. I think I'm going to observe for a while and if some people emerge as knowing what they're talking about I might use them for interviews for my chapter about alchemy in the modern world. Might see about taking a yoga class too...that is definitely a development from the middle eastern traditions of alchemy and although I could just do some research it would be much more beneficial to experience it for myself and be able to speak with an instructor. 

The only downside is that trying to research the religious aspects of alchemy will be difficult around here. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but there are an awful lot of baptist churches, and a good number of others too. That's all well and good for me for looking into alchemy in today's world of Christianity. But doing some research about how alchemy still affects other religions, such as islam, might be a little hard. Even with the university right there, its alabama. The religious studies here are a little.....discriminatory. 

Anyhow, going to the library tomorrow to do some research, im hoping to hear back from my editor soon about a new section I added, and I hope to finish a chapter tomorrow and begin a new one. Wish me luck!!!