I haven't watched much anime in years. I started watching Welcome to the NHK but gave. Someone recommend me some very recent stuff that doesn't have mechs or fighting.
Kemonozume - Cannabalism and hunting demons and awesome.
Gankutsuoh: Count of Monte Cristo - It has mechs, but it's not really about them, and also, they appear in about 1-2 episodes. Better adaptation than the recent movie.
Kino's Journey - Introspective and philosophical anime that's very unique and unlike anything else.
Skull Man - Show about a superhero. Extremely well made.
Ghost in the Shell: SAC series - Philosophy, sci-fi, ass kicking, robots. Awesome.
Basilisk - Someone once likened this series as the Berserk of ninja anime and while I disagree, it's still not that far off. It's about blood, kicking ass, and taking names. Awesome.
Golgo 13 - Manime
I've seen GITS: SAC and Golgo 13, not my thing. Isn't Kino's Journey old?
My taste in animu is probably a bit gayer than that, I liked Honey & Clover and Haibane Renmei. I have His & Her Circumstances but I've never watched past the first disc. I loved Genshiken & Azumanga too. Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien was great as well, although I watched it not knowing what it was from. Anything like that those I'd probably enjoy
One of the guys I used to work with supplied me with shit like Kanon and Colorful which were fine but I never really got into.
Yeah Kino's sorta old but you said you haven't been watching anime for a long time so I dunno how long it's been since you watched it.
Okay... I like a good light hearted anime myself but I haven't seen too much recent anime that does light heartedness WELL. Maybe someone else can enlighten you (beezy?). If you like Kare Kano (His and Her Circumstances), Honey and Clover, and KGNE I'd suggest Bokura ga Ita. It's a romance comedy with slice of life. It's pretty decent.
One show people like that fits the bill you're interested in is Haruhi. I'm not the biggest fan but it's interesting.
Some other shows in that crazy and wacky vein:
Genshiken ova's

Genshiken 2
Sayonara Zetsubuou Sensei
School Rumble series
Futakoi Alternative
Recently? Allison and Lillia. Although it's not balls off the wall wacky, so far it's a fun adventure anime with some comedy thrown in. I'd suggest it anyways.
I would really suggest Gurren Lagann but you said no mechs, so...
I'm not sure if you read manga or not but if you do, I HIGHLY suggest Yotsuba&. It's by the same person who made Azumanga, and chances of an animated version are slim. It's actually better than Azumanga too.