mitchman, I recommend you to start with realy simple stuff like knowing control objects from basic toolbox. Because they are visual elements, you will see the result of your work immmediately and it will be much more fun that way. Find out how to manipulate them using properties and methods so you will know what can you do by simple change of a property and what you have to code yourself. Right after that you will have to learn about data types and ways to manipulate with them. Get to idea which of them to use in which situation, how to convert them etc. Everything else (API functions for example) should take a part after that. Don't rush. VB is easy to learn and you will get to know it quickly.
Regards.