British actor Adrian Paul is best-known for his role as Duncan MacLeod on "Highlander: the Series" and has gone on to also star in spin-off movies, including the made-for-TV movie "Highlander: The Source" which was released on DVD on February 26. We talked with Adrian about “Highlander,” and some of his other current projects.

Tell me about the project you’re currently working on.

It’s called “Nine Miles Down.” It’s a psychological thriller set in the mid-Sahara desert. It’s a really good acting piece with twists you don’t expect. The director’s had this project for nine years - he knows it backwards, so it’s been very going well. I’m leaving tomorrow for Tunisia.

Where else have you been working recently?

I was in Bulgaria shooting “Captain Drake,” a sci-fi movie of the week. That was a blast. I had so much fun doing this character. He was egotistical and self-centered and I played him like that. We found some very humorous moments. I shot in London last year. I shot in North Carolina. I’ve been traveling a lot. I’m very lucky - I get to see places people don’t get to see and I get paid for it.

 
What can fans expect from the DVD of “Highlander: The Source”?

There’s a bunch of behind-the-scenes stuff [on the DVD]. The DVD is basically about the end of the world and how they finally find why the Immortals exist. I’m not very certain it fulfills the title, but we find out exactly what [the source] is. I think it’s a good looking film.  

 
And so, you must have put a lot of yourself into this character.  

I think everyone does when they are in a series that long. An actor comes into a role and has certain qualities, and [writers and producers] write to those qualities. Originally the character wasn’t as martial arts-oriented. [Playing different characters in movies] is different and by the end of the film, you really know the character, but when you are playing a character for six years, the character becomes a part of you.

What is your favorite thing about appearing in “Highlander”?

The ability to do so many different things – being serious, being lighthearted, going from one century to another. I loved all of the swordplay. My stunt double would ask, “Would you let me do something, for God’s sake?”

Where would you like to see your career progress from here on in?  

I have a script that I wrote and am producing. I’d like to direct again because I really enjoy it. [The script] is the story of a house on a fabled island that is called “The House of Storms.” It is a place where people are brought back when they made a mistake in their lives and are able to rectify or will lose their lives in the process. I’ll possibly star in it. I’m not sure yet.

Gamesviller "hannah_141" of Jackson, MI, won $3,631 playing Magic 21.  Let's find out more about Hannah...

GV: What will you spend your winnings on?

hannah_141: I plan on either saving the money to go towards my wedding that is in 2009 or it will go towards a car. I am not real sure. 

What are your favorite games on Gamesville?  Why? 

My favorite games are Magic 21 and Frantic Fish because of all the nice people that I have met in them. A lot of them have helped me with problems, and I have helped them with their problems. Those two games seem to have a great 'fan' base in them and I love it! 

What is your favorite television show?  

Well, I don't watch too much TV because I am busy with school and trying to graduate, but when I do get a chance to watch TV, I usually watch "CSI" or "CSI Miami," and anything on CMT ... gotta love that country music! 

What was the best vacation you ever went on?

To be honest, I have never really had a 'real' vacation, all the trips that I have taken involved going to a sheep show half way across the country, but I think that the best one out of all of them would have to be the trip we took to Massachusetts just because I had never been to that side of the country. Even though we drove all the way out there and showed our sheep and turned right around, the scenery was AMAZING! 

This week's Best Pet is Athena from St. Johnsbury, VT.

Pet Name: Athena

Pet Owner: Gamesviller jodilynn1984

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Distinguishing Personality Traits:

jodilynn1984 says, "This is my kitty, Athena. She got her name because she IS a goddess (or so she thinks she is). The neatest thing about Athena is her eyes, as you can see from her picture. She is spoiled rotten and demands attention. If you are not paying attention to her she will jump right up onto your chest! We have to warn everyone who comes into our home to watch out for our jumper. She's a very spunky kitty. She was rescued by my husband when she was just 3 weeks old from a very unfit home where she was just left in a box to fend for herself. We had to feed her by hand till she was able to eat on her own. Shes very special. My Athena is the BEST pet ever because she is my pride and joy, and she is definitely a mommy's baby. She sleeps under the blankets with me, sits on my lap when I'm on the computer or on the couch, and she even accompanies me to the bathroom on a daily basis."

According to the photo, she also seems to enjoy practicing yoga ... looks like a perfect Hasta Uttanasana position.  

Want to share photos of your own favorite pet with the Gamesville community?

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In addition to your pet's picture, please include:

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Please note: All submissions become the sole property of Gamesville, which reserves the right to hold, reject and/or edit submissions without notice and without limitation in perpetuity.

This week's Best Avatar is from Sezzlyepooh  (pictured at left) from Shawnee, OK.  Useless facts about Oklahoma: Oklahoma City houses the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Oklahoma is the only state with a state song written by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Sezzlyepooh says, "Sezzlyepooh is my Gamesville name. There is a story behind it. When my grandpa asked me one time what my name was I said sezzlyepooh.  He called me that till the day he died. I miss him.  My avatar really depicts the now in my life. It is cold here and I wanted to be bundled up. I am a business owner and have to have my morning coffee. I have pets and grandchildren. Couldn't hold everything!

My life is fast paced sometimes, but I try to always have a smile on my face. My hair is long and brown like my eyes, and I do wear glasses when I am working. I am also involved in a local women's group that does a lot of community work."

Think you have the Best Gamesville Avatar?

Shine up your Gamesville Avatar, then send your Gamesville member name to: members@gamesville.com We'll check out your avatar and see if it has was it takes to be Best Gamesville Avatar.

Be sure to include a little bit about yourself and your Gamesville Avatar with your entry, so we can understand that special connection between you and your Gamesville Avatar.

If we publish you as "Best Gamesville Avatar", we'll give you 500 GV Rewards.

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Ron Blecker is a US Army veteran who currently runs Def Con 5, a company that provides weapons trained performers and military and police consultants to the motion picture and television industry.  We recently had the chance to talk with Ron about how his fascinating career took him from the military to Hollywood.

 
Tell us about yourself and how you got started in the entertainment industry.

 
I spent 15 years in the US Army. Two weeks after I got out, I received a phone call from Chris Carter’s (“The X-Files”) office.  I thought it was a joke and I hung up on his assistant.  They asked me if I’d come up and interview to be a consultant on their show.  I interviewed, and got very upset and walked out on the interview because of a question someone asked me.  And Chris Carter hired me on the spot.  I was only supposed to be up here [Vancouver, where he still lives] for 3 months. 

 
When you were working on "The X-Files," did you work mainly with the actors or production team?

I was on set all the time, working with the cast, the writers, the background performers…everyone had questions, it was great.  I felt very useful.  I always seemed to be pretty busy.  David [Duchovny] and Gillian [Anderson] would always have questions about where they would be in scenes, how they would hold guns.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?

I came from one environment – 15 yrs in the military - which is very strict and disciplined, to the film industry which is not as strict or disciplined and inundated with a variety of characters.  That adjustment is probably the most difficult thing I ever had to do in my life.  In the film industry…you’re dealing with so many different types of people, a lot of people would use me as a political sounding board.  I just learned not to talk politics.

 
Have you faced struggles between the artistic vision of the filmmakers and accuracy from a technical standpoint?

Yes, definitely.  I did a show with James Cameron, “Dark Angel.”  He pulled me aside and said, “We’re not making a documentary about the military.  There will be artistic license.”  That advice has gone a long way.  There are battles you have to pick.  Sometimes you have to step back. 

 
Tell us about working “Hitman.”  Were you familiar with the video game? 

No.  I’d worked on a few video games in the past, and then I received a call from one the producers.  They told me about the game, and asked me what kind of console I used … I didn’t have an answer.  We talked about the script, the concept, what was going on.  I played it, and thought that it was very entertaining.

What’s the funniest thing that has happened throughout your career?

I was working on a show and I had the entire cast for a week of boot camp training.  We went through all the types of tactics.  Everything was going great, everyone was happy.  We’re filming inside this old house, Daniel Sackheim is directing.  One of the ADs came running up to me and said there was a big problem.  One of the castmembers and the director were not happy with each other.  Basically, the castmember told the director he wasn’t going to do something [the director’s] way because I had told him to do it another way during training.  I was sweating bullets!  I had producers looking at me, watching the dollars ticking by.

What are you up to now? 

I just finished “The X-Files” sequel, and “The Watchman.” I’ve also just written and sold my own feature script called “The Final Option.” It’s a drama thriller about the US government and homeland security.

Going into this snowy (at least here in the Northeast) weekend, we thought we'd leave you with some interesting tidbits to ponder.

Did you know...

...that the first lip balm was actually earwax?  (And I thought "Dr. Pepper" was a weird lip balm flavor!)

...there is an actual job called chick sexing?  (Get your mind out of the gutter - it's a person who separates male chicks from the female chicks at a hatchery.)

...that BINGO was originally called "Beano"?  (Some say that the name switched when a winner mistakenly called out "Bingo!" instead of "Beano!")

This week's Best Pet is Casper from McKenize, TN. 

Pet Name: Casper

Pet Owner: Gamesviller hardsangel

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Distinguishing Personality Traits:

hardsangel says, "Casper is a mini poodle. He hates to be alone. If we leave him at home alone, he will tear up his toys or anything he can get ahold of.   He loves to play ... he will stand in the middle of the floor and keep looking at us till we play with him.  When he wants a treat, he will look up to where the treats are and look at us until he gets one. He will even walk on back legs to get a treat.  He is very lovable!"

And he sounds talented as well!

Want to share photos of your own favorite pet with the Gamesville community?

Send photos to: members@gamesville.com

In addition to your pet's picture, please include:

• your Gamesville member name
• your pet's most distinguishing personality trait

Please note: All submissions become the sole property of Gamesville, which reserves the right to hold, reject and/or edit submissions without notice and without limitation in perpetuity.