Any valve lash advice from the gurus?

So I've got oil all down the side of my block, and I'm hoping it's just what the desert sun has done to my valve cover gasket. I'm gabbing a new one this weekend and I figure while I have the cover off I might as well attempt a valve lashing. I've read a bunch of articles, but I'm learning as I go, and honestly this is the deepest I will have ever gone into an engine. I'm hoping to do it while the engine is running. I looks like it would be much easier/quicker, but for my level it's also a little intimidating. Any pointers???