Where To Look and How To Study

I hear all the time to look over games from the opening you want to learn to know the right plans and ideas.  My question is how does one find a place to study these games and how does one narrow the search down?  

Once I have found this place and gotten the games that I want to play over, then what are some of the ways to study them?

This is from someone who does not know the ECO codes for any openings.  

Thanks for your help in my quest to master my openings. 

*EDIT*

I have tried to use the game explorer but that is more of tree than an actual way to study a game IMHO.  I am looking for alternatives to this. Thanks. 

*EDIT 2*

If you feel a need to look at games of mine before giving a comment, look at my blog here, http://blog.chess.com/chesswithmeaning, as these are my OTB games that I actually take time to think as opposed to online games here. 

This is not an easy question.

First,

you have to study middle-game of course.If you don't know what to do on , let's say , isolated pawn cases , don't expect any opening to teach you.

Second ,

you have to understand the pawn structure of your openings.Many times that can save you from a lot of aimless study.

Can you make it more specific?What openings interest you?

With some openings you need to know lines  and study games is not enough or is not so useful.Other openings are based on understanding , knowing a few lines   and studying games can create excellent results

Michael-G:

I used to play d4 openings as white but that has really stunted me because they seem to just flow with logical moves so as white I am wanting to look into some Ruy Lopez and Italian openings.

As Black against 1. e4 I used to play the French. Now I am looking at the Najdorf Sicilian and/or the Caro-Kann

Against 1. d4 I play either King's Indian, Tarrasch, or Dutch Stonewall Variation. 

My knowledge of pawn structure is basically ignorance at this point so I'm sure a good study of that would improve my game even more so than usual. 

For example, I learned the French and I knew moves up to 10 moves deep and after that I relied on the plans and ideas for the opening that I had read in some books and online.  Same thing with the Najdorf Sicilian, I just played based on typical patterns that I had seen in games that I had looked through.  

I guess my main question or concern with learning a new opening is I want to know what the plans are for that opening when either my oppoenent or I leave the "book lines".  I'm not big on memorizing lines so I would rather know what to do when my memory lacks on what move 19 was in my book back home. 

I hope that makes more sense. 

It does make sense.Unfortunately your opening choices rely heavily on line memorisation.It is very difficult(if not impossible) to study games of Najdorf  and learn the "plans".Most of the games are chaotic with moves that are tactically justified.So you have to know the lines.I don't know your level and I don't know your needs but unless you are a master, Najdorf  should not be your choice.My advise is either stay with French or pick up a more strategic line of Sicilian, like Sheveningen or Taimanov.

      Against 1.d4 your openings are good.To reduce the time for study , I would advise you have something simple like Lasker's defense as main defense and use the others for surprise until you are ready to use them as your main "weapons"

    1.e4 is also quite chaotic as you must have a series of ready lines for all Black's defenses.I must repeat though that I don't know your level or your needs(do you play OTB or only on-line?) 

My USCF rating is 1412 currently, in a few weeks it should be closer to 1430ish. Still not great but averageish I suppose.

Anyway, I mainly play online but I do play in OTB tournaments.  I have a chess club that I go to weekly every Tuesday night a G/90/D/5. 

For 1412 USCF rating you mostly have to imporve your indgame and middlegame.The openings you choose demand countless hours of opening study that is not necessary now.

   It is better to choose a more "light" opening programm but if you insist it's npt that hard to find games.You start with the main lines , you find the games , you study them and you move on to deviations.

Message me if you need further help as for Najdorf and for King's Indian I already have the games until 2006(and believe me , they are more than enough).

Thanks!