LA, CA Help????

Just something I thought I would throw out there and see if anyone would bite. I've realized my job is a dead-end one and that all the stuff I hoped for when I first interviewed is not going to happen (advancement, education, etc) and I've decided that it's time to move on. Anyone have any suggestions besides beating the job websites to death and posting your resume everywhere in the world (both of which I am working on) that could help someone out? And I know I am thankful that I have a job and all that but I just feel my skills and my brain are being wasted here and would rather be doing something that I enjoy and be working with people who share the same passion for the work as I do. Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is in this boat and I read somewhere that drumming up local message boards gives better results then almost anything else. Thanks for letting me take a few minutes out of your day to read this.....