So, after taking some much-needed time off from the Animation industry, I am finally returning. However, it's been almost two years, and things have changed. Most projects are being done in Flash, which I have no experience in. It seems nobody draws with pencils anymore. Prospective empoyers are looking for Maya artists. At first, I thought I'd be testing for a cartoon based on an ancient civilization! I'm still in my thirties, I can't be obsolete yet!

 Now I've begun to aggressively look for work, and have been successful in finding plenty of work available, depsite the fact that my old contacts and friends warned me that the industry was dry. However, most of these jobs require an artist with experience inn Flash. I'm desperate, and I've officially hit the "struggling artist" phase of my career, which is nowhere near as cool as the movies make them out to be. I am managing two bands, which I make no money whatsoever from, but which take up almost all of my free time. Still, not as cool as Hollywood would lead you to believe. Sure, I drink for free everywhere I go. I host parties and events all over New York City, and I've become something of a nightlife celebrity. I walk right past those pretentious lines at clubs and stright through the velvet rope. I hang out with rock stars and celebrities that would make alot of people green with envy. But I don't have a dime to show for any of it. And I don't have a giant loft where I sit and brood and paint on giant canvases to reflect my mood. I can't even afford paint. Or a canvas. Or a mood. I'm sleeping on a friend's couch, I'm hundreds of dollars in debt, eating ramen and spending my days in front of a laptop trying to discover new ways to find work. I've gotten to the point where I'm willing to work as a PA, or even an intern, in exchange for learning Flash. I'd take a class in Flash, if I was living on more than $100 per week.

 And that is where I am currently am. If anyone knows any way to get me back in my game, I would be in your debt forever. If you're in the same situation that I am in, let's get together. We'll form a studio, or a league. We'll get capes and fight crime or something. Or maybe just help each other find work. And hey -- if you know Flash, i have some leads for you!  :)