How can I close the lid on my Mac Book Pro (late 09, 10.6.8) without it going into sleep mode?

Question

I recently moved my room around and such, and now it's become more useful (I also purchased an HDMI adaptor which helps) to use my TV as a display, especially when I'm recording music, watching movies online, etc. Problem is, the HDMI cord I'm using is only 1.8 ft. so my computer has to sit in the middle of my desk, thus taking up the bottom portion of my TV screen when open.
I know there's an app out there that keeps the computer from going to sleep, but I don't like it because I forget it's on and Ill toss my computer in my backpack to go to the library, I get there and it's a million degrees....
If it matters for anything the setup is as follows:
13 inch MBP, 8 gb ram, 2.26ghz intel core 2 duo, Os X Version 10.6.8. Late 09 I believe.
I'm using the mini display port to HDMI adaptor (made by apple, not a knockoff if it matters).
When using my Tv I'm using a wireless mighty mouse (bluetooth) and the apple on screen keyboard.
Also, it's not at the top of my priorities, but eventually I'll probably have the computer set up next to the Tv, I've got the displays set up so that the Tv is on top of the computer display (I understand how to move them) but is there a way to make it so that when the lid is open, it acts as two, non-mirrored, displays, and when I close the lid it switches to one display (the Tv), and obviously, when no display is connected, it uses the internal display as it's sole display?
And lastly, is there a way to transmit sound through my Mini Display port to my TV? It's not the end of the world if not in 10.6, I saw something about how to do it in lion, but that's not enough of a reason for me to upgrade. I use a sound system so like I said, not the end of the world, just would be really nice, and I feel like after the money I've dumped into apple for this computer, it should do about anything I ask it to short of making me waffles in the morning (however, apple, if you release some sort of add on to do this, I'll be at the midnight release wearing a shirt that says"waffle enthusiast".)

Answer 1

You can't but you can wake it up immediately after.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86286
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300562