http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/5/harry-potter-on-multiple-best-of-decade-lists

As we near the end of 2009, many publications and websites are releasing their "best of the decade" lists, many which include the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. First Bookseller points out that our favorite author is the biggest selling author of the decade, saying "J K Rowling unsurprisingly holds the top spot with sales worth a
spellbinding £215.9 million, according to Nielsen BookScan....

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/5/-16

While we have seen this officially released before, you can now watch the first five minutes of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD online here via the Sun who note: "Our exclusive clip is jam-packed with action as we see the Death Eaters flying
through London.The dark wizards can be seen destroying the infamous Millenium Bridge as
people run and scream with terror."

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/5/hbp-dvd-press-interviews

As part of the release for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD (with the Deathly Hallows sneak preview), members of the cast have done several new interviews. Now available are videos from the AP, ITN and WireImage as follows:AP: Dan Radcliffe on the Blu-ray Live screening of HBPITN: Dan, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright  (with some behind the scenes footage)        Dan Radcliffe on possi...

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/5/harry-potter-wall-art-a-update-review-and-offer

Earlier this year we told you about the new HarryPotterWallart.com website which was now carrying official high end Harry Potter removable wall decals. Today, we can bring you an update on many new items that have been added to the collection as well as a special offer for readers of the Leaky Cauldron. First, many new pieces have been added to the collection including some wonderful scenes and...

http://feeds.reference.com/click.phdo?i=5142540642d3bd6f4affe98478656607

http://www.dictionary.com/wordoftheday/archive/2009/12/05.html

nonplus: to render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely.

I couldn't help it...I've been waiting for ages to get a shot of Wilson in bed that would work for this!
(Manip)

Title: Sweet Dreams, Boys.
Rating: G/PG

Time to make some changes.

P.S. Sorry for practically force feeding this site canned meat products (i.e. spamming it) the last few days. :/

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/4/december-featured-crafter-of-the-month-hardhat-cat

This month, our Crafty Witches and Wizard have chosen crafter Hardhat_Cat as their Featured Crafter of the Month of December.  Versatile in many mediums, Hardhat_Cat has shown particular prowess in the area of knitting and needlework, with the creation of such gorgeous pieces as this Dumbledore Tote, needlework Hogwarts Crest, and Tri-Wizard Tournament Third Task Shirt.  The Crafty Witches sat ...

"The Area would like to sing for you now, and insisted on having its own microphone."

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2009/12/clown_therapy_trick.html

If you're wondering how effective your average clown is, wonder no more. I've found a randomised controlled trial that tested the effectiveness of clowns in treating children's anxiety before an operation, in comparison to midazolam, an anti-anxiety drug.

It turned out, clowns worked the best, but wow, doesn't the study summary read weirdly.

Clowns for the prevention of preoperative anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Paediatr Anaesth. 2009 Mar;19(3):262-6.

Golan G, Tighe P, Dobija N, Perel A, Keidan I.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if specially trained professional clowns allayed preoperative anxiety and resulted in a smooth anesthetic induction compared to the use of midazolam or no intervention.

METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, and blinded study conducted with children 3-8 years of age undergoing general anesthesia and elective outpatient surgery. Patients were assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 did not receive midazolam or clown presence; group 2 received 0.5 mg x kg(-1) oral midazolam 30 min before surgery up to a maximum of 15 mg; and group 3 had two specially trained clowns present upon arrival to the preoperative holding area and throughout operating room (OR) entrance and mask application for inhalation induction of anesthesia. The children were videotaped for later grading.

RESULTS: The clown group had a statistically significant lower modified-Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale score in the preoperative holding area compared to the control and midazolam group. The clowns' effect on anxiety reduction continued when the children entered the OR but was equal at this point to the midazolam group. Upon application of the anesthesia mask no significant differences were detected between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the use of preoperative medically trained clowns for children undergoing surgery can significantly alleviate preoperative anxiety. However, clowns do not have any effect once the anesthesia mask is introduced.

The use of 'clown doctors' is actually pretty common in Children's hospitals and, as far as I know, the practice was invented by the American physician Patch Adams.

As for adverse reactions, despite the popular belief in 'clown phobia', variously called ballatrophobia, coulrophobia or my favourite - bozophobia, I could only find one case report of this particular anxiety disorder. Interestingly, it was discovered by a clown doctor who got a powerful negative reaction from an adult patient.

However, there is a video of a woman undergoing psychological treatment for clown phobia on that font of medical knowledge, YouTube.

Link to PubMed entry for clown trial.

HERES YA'LLS PART TWO OF SCREENCAPS

( I realize that the logical course of any adult relationship could one day lead to fornication )

Title: The Irrelevant Bug
Author: Spot and Punk
Beta: Iyimgrace
Summary: The final chapter, House says goodbye. H/W friendship

Oddly, this is my beta's (re: my dad's) favourite chapter. Links are inside.

Title: A New Divide
Author: vampmissedith
Rating: PG-13, for suggestive dialogue, language, some sexual themes, and sensitive subject matter.
Pairing: House/Wilson (pre-slash, but then eventual slash.)
Warnings: mentions of House/Stacy, vague Wilson's wives, some Wilson/Amber, and a barely-there original character.
Disclaimer: I don't own House. [insert witty joke here]
Author's Note: This is written post-Joy to the World and disregards anything after that episode.
Summary: When Wilson inadvertantly wishes that he and House had never become friends, he finds himself thrust into a world where just that happens.

chapter twelve

69 6x09 icons HERE

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/4/join-pottercast-on-livestream-today-at-noon-for-deathly-hallows-talk-and-more

UPDATE: Thanks to all who were patient and joined us for the show. Be sure to check out that DH preview right here.Excited by all the recent Half-Blood Prince, Ultimate Collector's Editions DVDs and especially the new looks at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films? Please join PotterCast who will be on Livestream very very soon, starting at Noon (12pm Eastern) where we will be discussing a...

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/12/4/costume-competition-at-dvd-signing

A few days ago we told you about the DVD Blu-Ray signing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince going on at the HMV at 150 Oxford St. in London on Sunday, Dec. 6: Now, a costume contest has been added to the festivities. The person wearing the best costume will be whisked backstage to meet Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Jessie Cave. 
Remember: Wristbands are limited; they will b...