These learning websites never work for me. I know starting with basics (operations, variables, string manipulation) is the sensible thing to do, but they bore me. I always find easier (well, harder but more engaging) to read real code running a real simple application and trying to figure it out by breaking it. (it's not a critic of learning sites or this one in particular. It's just they don't speak to me.)
Could you recommend some simple applications like you describe? I'm learning python but find most tutorials boring. Your method sounds interesting.
About two weeks ago, I wrote a somewhat complex application to "scratch an itch" at work and have since started in with Django.
I'd recommend the Google class (it's on Youtube).