I suggest getting MIRC (if you have a PC) or X-Chat Aqua (if you have a Mac). Channels you would want to join to start off would include #fluodome, #moo, and #warau. You can also join #smogon or #stark if you like, but those are larger and odds are you won't feel comfortable in conversation there until you have lurked a while.
thanks US. i can use it through mibbit, but i'm not sure if that's enough. are there any suggestions you have or any channels that i can use through mibbit?