Getting started with Lego as an adult

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Studio-21050 In Chicago there's actually even http://www.architecture.org/lego where you can drop in and tool around.

When initially learning Lego at an AFOL level after not touching any since childhood, I would find a set similar to what I had in mind (similar in terms of what kinds of pieces and construction were used, not necessarily similar in terms of what it was or depicted), eg. maybe a technic vehicle that had steering, or motors, or a system of new parts that didn't exist when I was a kid, that I didn't know how to use but looked useful. Whatever aspect(s) of Lego I wanted to learn more about, I would find a sets that had a huge focus on those things. Then I would follow the instructions to build the kit, mainly just to learn the various ways they used the parts. Then tear it down for the parts to use in my own ways. But one set is far too limiting when you want to make your own thing, you need lots of parts. I bulked out my lego cheaply (garage sales, ebay, thrift stores, bricklink.com, discount stores), whatever was available, didn't matter what kind of lego - it's all lego, it's all useful (as long as it's genuine Lego, not imitator stuff - don't bother with that stuff, it will make your life harder). I almost never paid retail price except when I wanted a specific set to learn from, as mentioned above. Once you have a bunch more lego to work with, and you've followed instructions enough to get the hang of different building techniques, you won't have trouble just experimenting and playing. I also found it really useful to browse http://www.mocpages.com/, and find builders whose interests were similar to mine, or whose expertise was amazing, and look at their photos and learn how they did this or that. It has a favourite system such that once you find one person doing stuff you love, chances are their stuff will lead you to more people doing stuff you love. It also arranges by topic. When I had very specific projects in mind, I would use Bricklink.com to buy exactly the parts I needed but was missing.

There are two distinct modes for playing with Lego (well, three if you count using them as caltrops): following directions to make something specific and just exploring. The latter is easiest with a bucket of bricks and a big ground plate. Start with castles, pyramids, ziggurats. Set yourself silly rules like "I will only build with 2x6 bricks" or "no yellow" or "mosaic day".

http://george.lego.com/en-us/ It's 2D building, not 3D. But it's fast, fun and doesn't require a lot of bricks. I love it. I know this doesn't exactly teach you how to build amazing things but it will help you get a feel for Legos and some ways to be creative with them. I think it's a good re-entry into Lego as an adult.

I love the look of that kit phunniemee posted, and note that it's got a big guidebook that should be helpful for figuring out ways to repurpose the pieces in the kit. I kinda want that one for myself. Also, you could check your area for local LEGO users groups. They tend to put on shows with things they've made, and might be a fun way to get an idea of the possibilities without having to trek to LEGOLand or whatever.

The Lego Creator series might be helpful to you. They are sets with instructions for 3 different models to be made from the same set of pieces. That will give you an idea of how to repurpose things, as well give you a broader sense of the sort of structures that can be made. http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Creator-ByTheme

If you need some kickstarting on re-using pieces, how about http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Creationary-3844? You have to work out how to do things with the limited pieces on offer - because they are so limited they won't be great works of art, but if it's the creative side you're looking for it's great.

I'm totally a budding lego fanatic myself, having a small collection amassed from lego creation gifts from my lego mentor. He's built me lots of little stuff to go with my minifig collection, like a piano, a laboratory set (for my m.sc.), and a wedding cake. I just did a pinterest search for lego creations which did turn up quite a few smaller projects. That also led me to http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerpig/ on flickr. Lots of little tiny things you can make, even just with basic bricks. No instructions but they're little, shouldn't be too hard to try out ;)

For ideas, start at http://www.lugnet.com/ - by far the oldest and widest global Lego builder's community. I love Lego but most of their new stuff is a rip-off - starting with the Architecture series. Fortunately their plastic in very durable. Consider buying second hand: either bulk "Legos" for pennies from uneducated folk at ebay or specific parts at http://www.bricklink.com/ Tip: the plastic is also washable, with comes handy as it can also easily catch odors. Builders willing to share their creations often code their instructions in http://www.ldraw.org/%20 format. Good quality viewers and editors exist for most computer platforms. (Not to be confused with the official and inferior http://ldd.lego.com/nl-nl/)