Before I left for the ETS / SBL conferences a few weeks back, the tub in my bathroom developed a slow drip. I didn't really have time or desire to address it before the conferences, so I decided to just let it be and deal with it when I came back.

Upon returning, I found that the slow drip had developed into a steady trickle. It was time to address the problem. However, I know next to nothing about plumbing, so I turned to the web to look for answers.

I learned a whole lot about Delta single-faucet hardware and the innards. I went to the store and bought the biggest pair of channel-lock pliers I could find (needed to remove the large brass collar, as depicted here). Based on the stuff I'd read, I simply needed to replace a few small seals. So I also purchased some replacement seals and springs, hoping the fix would be easy. (Note: The seals and springs are RP4993 in this PDF graphic)

Now, unfortunately for me, my main water shutoff is in the most inconvienent place possible — under the house in the crawl space (no basement) opposite the entry-hole. So to turn the water on or off, it involved an excursion under the house. Not fun, but thankfully there is about 3 feet of clearance, so I didn't have to crawl the whole way.

So, I turned off the water. I ripped apart my faucet, removed the brass collar (needed to loosen it with some silicone lubricant/penetrant), and yanked out the innards (the whole RP19804 unit from the above PDF graphic), then ripped it apart and replaced the springs and seals.

Convinced I'd fixed the problem, I put it all back together and crawled back underneath the house to turn the water back on. I got back in the house, checked the faucet ... and it was still running at a slow trickle. Drats.

And then inspiration struck. I have two bathtub/shower units in my house, and they both have the same hardware. So, I went back under the house (ugh) and shut off the water. Then I came back into the house, ripped apart both faucets, and started to compare the two parts — particularly RP19805, which seemed to be the most likely piece to be faulty. I messed around with the seals again, and put each faucet back together. Then back under the house to turn on the water (that shutoff really needs easier access!) No dice, the trickle was still there.

Back under the house. Ugh.

Then I decided to get into serious problem-solving mode: It was time to switch the innards. I figured this action had four possible results, only one of which would cause me to have to crawl back under the house:

Result 1: Both faucets would have a steady trickle. This would cause me to go back under the house so I could switch the hardware back, and it would lead me to conclude that both the hardware and the plumbing on faucet #1 were faulty, and that the faulty hardware caused faucet #2 to begin a trickle. This was my worst-case scenario.

Result 2: Neither faucet would trickle. Not quite sure what would cause this, beyond serendipity. This result, while pleasant, wasn't necessarily desired because I wouldn't know what fixed the issue and there would be a high liklihood it would rear its ugly head again. But it would also mean I wouldn't crawl back under the house; at least not today.

Result 3: No change. Faucet #1 continues to trickle, faucet #2 continues with no trickle. This would be unfortunate because it would mean that the faucet hardware is fine, but there was a deeper problem in the plumbing somewhere — and I'd probably have to call in a plumber. But then he would be the one crawling under the house, not me.

Result 4: Opposite. Faucet #1 would have no trickle and faucet #2 would develop a new trickle. This was my desired result, because it would narrow the problem to the faucet hardware, and I would be able to order a replacement part (the Lowes/Home Depot/Hardware Sales sort of stores don't stock RP19804, the part I would need to replace). I would still need to crawl under the house, but I'd do it later with a hopefully reasonable expectation that the problem really would be solved.

Logic is so cool. Yes, I actually did think through these options; I'm not making it up — though there is a little embellishment above, and I only thought of the worst option (Result 1 above) as I was getting ready to crawl back under the house again to turn the water back on.

The result of the switch? We have a winner behind door #4! This was my best-case scenario. So, I hopped onto the web and ordered the necessary part. Should arrive sometime next week, and the tub spigot in my guest bathroom will be trickling until I get the part.

This means I'll have to crawl under the house at least two more times to shut off the water for the repair. But hopefully that'll be the end of it. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to call a plumber. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

The Thanksgiving festivities at James' house went well. I think I had the turkey in the oil just a little too long, but all in all it turned out fine. The stuffing was good, the gravy turned out all right, and the masses of food brought by other folks was all excellent. Here are some pics of the deep-fryin' process. Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger version of the picture.

The setup: a large pot, a propane burner, and a thermometer to measure oil temp. I was able to mooch from my folks as they're in Arizona and they left the necessary equipment at home in Washington.

Step 1: Get the oil to 350 degrees farenheit. I got it higher, when the turkey gets put into the oil, the temp goes down. This was just about right to settle the temp at 350.

Step 2: You need a turkey. Note the apparatus the turkey is on, also note that the cavity is facing up, not down.

Step 3: Lower the turkey SLOWLY into the heated oil. Take your time, there's no reason to rush this step.

Step 4: Nibble on some more of James Van Noord's fabulous cheese-ball.

Step 5: After appropriate frying time (3 minutes per pound) remove turkey from oil.

Step 6: Check temperature. The bird should be at 160 degrees farenheit.

Step 7: Bring bird inside, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then carve it up.

More photos from the day (including Vincent Setterholm preparing Creme Brulee!) are online at my photo site.

Seems like a good idea to blog about my Thanksgiving plans.

My folks are in Arizona this year, so I'm orphaned. I'm heading over to James' house where a few other friends/co-workers are gathering. I think there will be 10 of us there, perhaps more.

We're going to be deep-frying, as I've mentioned before. I'll be bringing my camera and may post photos of the process later on today or tomorrow.

In addition to the turkey fryin', I'm also in charge of the stuffing and the gravy. I made the stuffing this morning (it just needs to cook in the oven) so all systems are “go” there. I'll make the gravy later today at James' house. Rumor has it I may be the one carving the turkey too.

All in all, this should be a feast to be remembered, provided the turkey turns out well. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed ...

I know I said I was done, but I'd forgot about this bit.

While most of the presentations of papers were good, some were simply awful and tough to sit through. This is to be expected. However, my primary beef is that not all presenters gave their audience something to evaluate and take home with them.

I'm not talking about a copy of the paper, I'm talking about a handout that has the basic outline / major points of the paper so that one can follow along. After attending one of Edward Tufte's seminars this past summer, I now see how valuable this aspect really is.

In my mind, Ken Penner (I went to both of his papers; one on purpose and one on accident) was on the right track. He had a handout / synopsis of the major points and evidence of his work, and then read his paper. While listening to someone read a paper isn't the best (Mark Goodacre's reports of going extempore in his presentation are interesting and provocative; hopefully more folks try just such a thing next year) it is at least less of a trial with a synopsis.

The folks working through “Discourse Grammar of Mark 13” in the Greek Language and Linguistics seminar had it right as well. A large handout with lots of information that one can revisit to evaluate argument, as well as a presentation that, while much of it was read, wasn't necessarily presented that way. These folks worked through the text, knew it, knew their point in presenting, and made their case in an engaging manner. It was one of the best presentations I was able to attend. Cheers to them for their work and their engaging presentation.

Hi folks.

I'm back from ETS / SBL. I'm not going to post a blow-by-blow account, though. I got back to Bellingham at about 4:30 in the morning after several delays on the way due to storms in Texas.

A few notes, though.

I got to meet Eric Sowell, of Coding Humanist fame. With the advent of the NET GEMS, and with Logos' own foray into Greek Syntax (we announced at SBL and have some prototypes up and functional, but have no links public as of yet) it was good to talk with Eric a bit about syntax and compare and contrast both of the approaches. Bottom Line: I think the Bible Software community is going to have some good options available in the area of Greek NT Syntax in the very near future — and that's good news for everybody.

Now, with all of that said, here's a list of the books I bought at SBL. I'm actually rather amazed at the discipline I exercised; I could've easily bought more:

• Culy, Martin M. I, II, III John: A Handbook on the Greek Text. Baylor University Press.
• Parsons, Mikeal C. and Martin M. Culy. Acts: A Handbook on the Greek Text. Baylor University Press.
• Williams, P.J., et. al., editors. The New Testament in its First Century Setting: Essays on Context and Background in Honour of B.W. Winter on his 65th Birthday. Eerdmans.
• Donaldson, Amy M. and Timothy B. Sailors, editors. New Testament Greek and Exegesis: Essays in honor of Gerald F. Hawthorne. Eerdmans.
• Young, Richard A. Intermediate New Testament Greek: A Linguistic and Exegetical Approach. Broadman & Holman.
• Porter, Stanley, editor. Handbook to Exegesis of the Greek New Testament. Brill Academic Publishers. Yes, this is available in LDLS format, but Brill had hardcopies for $30.00 and I couldn't resist. They're normally 4x that amount.

I also received a copy of Goodrich & Lukaszewski's A Reader's Greek New Testament. I am privileged to count one of the editors — Al Lukaszewski — as a friend of mine, and he was kind enough to give me a copy of the work. I look forward to using it in my on-going effort to improve my Greek reading skills.

This, combined with an earlier purchase of The Glory of the Atonement: Biblical, Historical & Practical Perspectives : Essays in Honor of Roger R. Nicole (one of the editors, Dr. Charles Hill, was my Greek prof.) will make for a mass-o-readin' that I'll need to work through before I splurge on more titles.

Though I won't bore you with the list of people; I was able to meet and talk with a number of folks about Bible study, research, and the use of software in one's study/research. In my time in the booth I was able to speak with folks about Logos and the resources and functionality we make available. I was also able to go to a number of papers. I'd like to express my appreciation and thanks for the SBL's Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics seminar and also the New Testament Textual Criticism seminar; there is some fascinating work going on in both of these groups and it was exciting to be able to sit in the presentations that these groups made.

And, with that, I'll end my SBL bloggin'. I'll get back onto other more regular topics shortly. And, if you're in the states — Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, some friends and I are gathering at another friend's house and we're going to deep-fry a turkey. I've done it before with my Dad (thanks, Dad!) but this will be my first time flying solo.

So, I'm checking out the internet getting the basics down. Oil at 350 degrees farenheit; 3 minutes per pound (so, 36 minutes or so for our 12lb bird, plus another 5 minutes, apparently.). And the turkey is simply fab-u-riffic. When the turkey is dropped in the hot oil, it is seared and seals itself, keeping all the yummy, yummy juices locked up in the bird. This is a very yummy thing.

Then, I see a reference to something that I know I must try someday. A “Turducken”.

Huh?

It is a deboned turkey, stuffed with a deboned duck, stuffed with a deboned chicken ... all stuffed with cornbread and sausage dressing.

Whoa. Here's more info ... and pictures. This thing looks (and sounds) like a winner.

I don't know that I'll ever be up for doing the WHOLE STUFFED CAMEL (camelambicken?) That's outta my league. I could be convinced to roast an ostrich in a pit, though ...

Not that I blog on a regular schedule anyway, but from now until Thanksgiving, blogging will be sporadic as I'll be at the 2004 conferences of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature in San Antonio, Texas. I'll be there thanks to my employer, Logos Bible Software, to discuss all sorts of groovy new stuff that we've been working on.

If you're a Logos user (or not) and you're going to be at either conference, I'd enjoy talking with you, especially if you're into the Greek New Testament, lexicons, morphologies, secondary source material, etc.

Unless there's wireless access at my hotel and I feel inspired to blog in the late evenings (hey ... it could happen ... ) you may not hear much from me.

Ok, I'm going to break my “non-Logos blogging” policy, just this once. (Sorry, Bob, I can't hold back! ;) )

If you haven't kept up with what Logos has been up to for the past year — and even if you have — you may be very pleasantly surprised to learn what we've got cookin'. You should at least stop by the booth (at either conference, or both of 'em) and see the new stuff in the hopper, and let us know what you think about what we're doing.

Also note that if you are at the ETS Conference, there is a special “Bible Resource Breakfast” hosted by Crossway Books, publishers of the ESV, and Logos Bible Software. It's on Friday morning, and is early (6:15-7:35 AM), but you'll get to see some of the stuff Logos has been working on with Crossway. Hey, it's free food! If you don't spend money on breakfast, that means you can spend more money on books (or software!) at SBL — what could be better? See page 27 of your printed ETS program for more details on the breakfast.

See you there!

I'm normally not one to get excited about the marketing of Christmas, but I make one exception: Starbucks Christmas Blend.

This once-yearly coffee treat is so very yummy. I always look forward to it.

One problem: I still have some Panama la Florentina left to consume, so when I make coffee at home, I have a dilemma: Christmas blend, or Panama la Florentina?

Oh, the choices!