I REALLY like flash and PHP but they can be a it expensive and PHP is useless without a web server.
I have not experimentred much with desktop programming languages but BASIC seems to be your best bet (Very similar to GM's syntax).
You could try to learn future basic (Because it is free now, no?) because it creates standalone applications.
TNT pasic is simple as well but it creates a messy setup with the game application and a data file being seperate.
NYWays, if you find someting good, let me know
Mist