Play games with low time limits (something like 5 - 10 minutes main time and 5 x 30 s overtime) and play a bunch! Ask for reviews on the KGS Teaching Ladder (a discussion room on the server), if you can get a good teacher or two to help early on you can figure out what the game is about with less pain.
I've followed your advice and have been playing quick 9x9 games on KGS while I'm working through the first "Graded Go Problems for Beginners" book. Thank you.
http://playgo.to/iwtg/en/
Then register an account on KGS - http://www.gokgs.com/
Play games with low time limits (something like 5 - 10 minutes main time and 5 x 30 s overtime) and play a bunch! Ask for reviews on the KGS Teaching Ladder (a discussion room on the server), if you can get a good teacher or two to help early on you can figure out what the game is about with less pain.