Flash programming

Hi /prog/,

So basically I have a lot of spare time on my hands right now, and I feel I might as well use it to learn something.

I want to learn flash-programming, for a start. Anyone can recommend me any place to start, which program to use, and websites/books with decent advice?

tl;dr: Advice on starting to learn flash.

Um, you could try learning python.  The thing is that learning these things as I have found out by myself is really boring. I'm using the book "Learn Python the hardway" It is terribly boring so I just work through some exercises every day and promise myself not to quit.