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It's okay Kage, you're not alone in this! 
As someone who took a break from the game, and has recently tried (and failed) to get back into endgame content, I can say it's pretty goddamn hopeless right now if you don't know the right people. With PF you're basically stuck with your mixed mystery bag of horrible-to-okay people, or people who apparently develop anal polyps every time they see the bonus myth message. And of course joining most statics is another story altogether... If you haven't gotten to T9, bench pressed Titan with Ramuh's beard, and managed to steal a lock of YoshiP's hair - forget it (with few exceptions).
But there's a catch! Knowing people. On top of taking a long break, I've been out of an FC since the first week of 2.1. Let's not mince words - I'm fucked. You! Kage, however, are not. You have experience with the content. You know people who have experience with the content, some more, some less. The ass-end of the patch is approaching, plenty of people are going on vacay until 2.4 so there will be spots to fill. Talk to your pals. Talk to the friends of your pals. To a lot of these people, attitude matters more than anything. I see a lot of miserable folks that have Turn 9 on farm, but who cares? They're miserable. You said it yourself - you want to raid. Some people will take you over some whiny Turn 9 overlord simply because you have the right attitude.
Don't be afraid to pimp yourself out to EVERYONE, especially those you know. Raiding with people you know will always beat out doing it with strangers. Be positive! Try stuff out! Put your creds up on PF (be sure to have a lock of YoshiP's hair ready if necessary), ask your LS's if there are any openings, try semi-organized pug groups while you wait. Don't get anxious, stay calm and be patient! Good things come to those who wait!
As someone who took a break from the game, and has recently tried (and failed) to get back into endgame content, I can say it's pretty goddamn hopeless right now if you don't know the right people. With PF you're basically stuck with your mixed mystery bag of horrible-to-okay people, or people who apparently develop anal polyps every time they see the bonus myth message. And of course joining most statics is another story altogether... If you haven't gotten to T9, bench pressed Titan with Ramuh's beard, and managed to steal a lock of YoshiP's hair - forget it (with few exceptions).
But there's a catch! Knowing people. On top of taking a long break, I've been out of an FC since the first week of 2.1. Let's not mince words - I'm fucked. You! Kage, however, are not. You have experience with the content. You know people who have experience with the content, some more, some less. The ass-end of the patch is approaching, plenty of people are going on vacay until 2.4 so there will be spots to fill. Talk to your pals. Talk to the friends of your pals. To a lot of these people, attitude matters more than anything. I see a lot of miserable folks that have Turn 9 on farm, but who cares? They're miserable. You said it yourself - you want to raid. Some people will take you over some whiny Turn 9 overlord simply because you have the right attitude.
Don't be afraid to pimp yourself out to EVERYONE, especially those you know. Raiding with people you know will always beat out doing it with strangers. Be positive! Try stuff out! Put your creds up on PF (be sure to have a lock of YoshiP's hair ready if necessary), ask your LS's if there are any openings, try semi-organized pug groups while you wait. Don't get anxious, stay calm and be patient! Good things come to those who wait!