Cheese Monkeys was one of those books I judged by the cover. Actually, the side. Printed on the pages side was "Good is Dead." It tickled my fancy. I found it at the library a few years ago, and even went on to buy a few copies as Christmas gifts. Not being a graphic novel reader, I had no idea that cover art was Chip Kidd's claim to fame.

Series ticket holders for the Arts & Lectures are a protective bunch. As I began to take my seat in B602, B603 and B604 began to nicely interrogate me. Was I sure I had the correct seat? They knew B601. And B602 was his seat also. I produced my ticket as proof. Hence, the speculations of B601's whereabouts began. And my interviewing. Was he nice? Did he talk during lectures? Was he normally late? You know, the important stuff. George, f/k/a B601, soon arrived, and yes, he was nice. And it turns out all three B's had once had their own print publication. From 1972-1982 they produced the Rochester Patriot. Small world.

Series kids are also a talkative bunch. There was much greeting and chatting amongst them. I felt like the new girl in class. But we all settled down once the Kidd hit the stage.

There was a bit of a snafu - when the lights went down, so did the projector - but this was responded to and remedied humorously.

Kidd began by answering his most asked question: How do I become a graphic artist? His advice is to learn how to write and do crossword puzzles. Preferably the NY Times puzzle on a Monday, when it is the easiest. Getting that out of the way, he went on to take us through his processes of designing book covers, with supporting images projected from the now-working projector. He is a very dramatic and bitingly sarcastic speaker, even using different voices to convey his emotions. I like sarcasm. It's like being mean, but not. Or at least not as obvious as outright meanness, and therefore, not subject to "Go Directly to Hell" cards. His reenactment of conversations between himself, the publishers, and the authors was hysterical. He exhibited the epitome of kissing ass and brown nosing in how "the client is always right."

And he left us with a parting gift, wise words from his mother. Something along the lines of live every day as if you're dying of an incurable disease and every time you bite someone you give them a horrible flesh-eating disease. Or something like that.

Signed copies of his new book "The Learners" can be found at Barnes & Noble in Pittsford Plaza.

Next up: Celtic cross exhibit