For someone at your level I wouldn't recommend playing unorthodox openings, just stick with simple openings.
All you should be conserned with in the opening is making to the middle game.
To do this just focus on controlling the center, development, and king safety.
I would just play basic king's pawn openings like the Italian game until your rating is 1700+.
I have only been playing chess for about a year, moreso recently. I have never studied any books on openings. I just know a little about what should come out first and controlling the middle. I have played a lot of games against the computer and have won about half of my games against other 900-1200 rated players here online so I have a long ways to go. I find that when I lose, it is often because I got into trouble early in the game. That and the fact that I make quite a few thunder blunders at crucial times. What I am looking for is a book or CD or DVD that teaches one decent opening...but preferably not a super common opening that everyone else plays. I want something that most people are not too familiar with. I do not want to learn every single opening out there because my brain cannot handle it nor do I have the time. I just want to learn one (for now) and learn it well enough to hopefully either gain an early advantage against average players or at least keep my butt out of early trouble! Thanks anyone!
Brett