I'm a (currentYear - 1961) yr old newcomer to C++.
Although I've dabbled in the past with ZX81 & Spectrum Basic, almost started VB (version 3 came on a single floppy disk!), done Smalltalk, JavaScript & Java for Open University (distance learning for those who don't know) and still don't have much of a clue where to go. My problem is not enthusiasm but direction. I can do a text hangman program but find it hard to think of something a little more difficult. Most of the books I have seem to stop at that stage telling you more can be done without giving you the clues. Ideas welcome.
My 'weapon of choice' at the moment is MS Visual C++ Express which for a freebie is more than adequate... if of course you like Windows stuff.
This site is a tremendous resource and I have a feeling I'll be back here often.
Try learning data structures (linked lists,hash tables,trees, etc). They're quite a challenge to learn, though. I'm still having a problem with binary trees and bitvectors. Should keep you occupied for a while.
PS: Learn templates before learning data structures.