This is all great and I enjoy programming but I REALLY want to start working with graphics and move towards 2d games. I've started to look into libraries like SDL and some of it looks really weird and then other parts I can understand. Usually after I get past the initial "setting up the SDL screen" tutorial it gets way advanced and I lose it. I really want to start moving into something with graphics because it's starting to feel like the console just isn't doing it for me anymore. With what I've learned, I have been able to program a decent text based RPG.
Learn basics. Start small. Make games like pong, galaga, asteroids, tetris. Once you can do those... you'll be ready to move on to bigger things.
Patience.
I agree with IcedCrow on this one. Especially the part about "Patience".