Meters: How to?

A friend just gave me his Sekonic L-358 light meter to play with while he’s away on vacation. I don’t have the manual and I have absolutely no idea how to use this thing. I’ve been trying to use it with my two adjustable monolights, but I don’t know if I’m supposed to read both lights going off at once or read each light going off separately. Someone told me ‘separately’ and then get a ratio. Does that make sense? And how do you get this ratio? Is the ratio used for the lights (main and fill), or for the camera? Please please please, could someone just make up a fake set of #’s and show me what to do with them.?

I need to learn this meter thing or the lights I bought will just be a huge waste of money.

Thanks for your time.

You can download the L-358 manual from this link:

http://sekonic.com/sup​port/support_21.asp

Sorry to ask again, but I'm more confused now than before. The manual doesn't tell me whether to use the meter to measure main and fill flashes simultaneously or separately.
And I don't understand this ratio thing. How do you get it and how do you use it?

Please, someone, just explain the basic concept. I 'm sure i'll be able to take it from there.

Thanks for any input. It will be greatly appreciated.

http://www.studiolight​ing.net …for-portrait-photography/

If you google 'lighting ratios' you will get other hits. The sekonic manual can be a little confusing until you get the hang of it, but pages 16-24 (if I'm remembering right) do explain the various metering methods, the manual isnt exactly intuitive but practice will make it stick. (everytime I go to use the thing I have to bust out my 'cheat sheet' so I know the feeling).