flash animation

So I am sitting here at home trying to understand how to hand code flash animation...it seems like an easy enough assignment. Have a random image fade in and fade out at a designated time. I picture it kind of like photography. My camera has a setting where you hold down the shutter and it will take multiple pictures every half a second until you release the shutter.

Why is flash so complicated? I think the people who created action script just wanted to feel important and the logic behind the code is so convoluted. I think that it would be absolutely great to have a web presence and include some animation in my blog, but am not sure I will ever get to that point. I do a lot of photography on the side and enjoy it immensely. I even submitted some photos for the Welter contest.

Does anyone know action script? Can I interest anyone in a swap for photography lessons if you can help me understand this stuff? Let me know....I wait with bated breath.