We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kerry Lee Bowser. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kerry Lee, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
To stop writing. Since 1985, when improbable events gripped my center stage. Dyslexia plus a slew of learning disabilities, athletic failures, college, employment insufficiencies, and selfish relationship missteps… My end approached long before the movie “This is the End.” Fortunately, light illuminated on a metaphorical call to punctuate my turmoil with the same uncertainties (speech impediment, spelling, stuttering) that hindered and introverted my shining star!
Writing, or when the excursion first began to clear my conscience, rhyming verses became a simple motivational expression. Why not? When I was a child, my mom said I’d speak in rhyme when pronunciation was a challenge.
Although my storytelling/poetry motivated a young audience, drew the interest of parents and educators, generated newspaper articles, performances, and won small awards. After all these years and as many submissions, not one Publisher or Agent!
Although my shortcomings lie in writing skills, my period of legible storytelling represents Baby Boomers, Gen X & Y. Obviously, the judgment panel’s criteria are unimaginative.
Here are excerpts from my first written… “And saved me from going over the edge!”
“Accelerate”
Caught in line, falling behind, not far to go, fell to the back, the Man stands and Claps.
Now that he feels another will accommodate, pick up your stride, where is your pride? Try to win the race.
Finished high school, couldn’t wait, on to college or a job, you’ll take
not realizing time passed so fast, you think of your peers as the reunion draws near, think about your profession
or materialistic fears, whichever the case happens to be. Is your Mind and Health are Satisfactory.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
What up, I’m Kerry Lee Bowser! Over the years, I’ve been called mainly “Bowser” (which began in the 6th grade) along with an assortment of pet names. As a writer, storyteller, poet, speaker, comedian (because I can laugh at myself), motivator, and bull-shit artist. My brand and entity are “BOWSERBARKS!”
Derived from a French term, “Beausire,” which means “Good Sir.” Commonly associated with canines, though, my motto is you “F-with me I will bite, but I ain’t smelling, you know what!”
At the time of my occurrence, I happened to drive a school bus. Additionally, the number of jobs I worked exceeded my own thirtysomething age. Never content and easily bored eventually led to frustration, but it also put me in a place where I could impact others and redirect them before it was too late. As much as I was in a quandary and ruthlessly serving my personal needs over those, I was responsible for; what I managed and created was “sui generis,” or, in other words, unparalleled.
Matter of Fact, and frankly, these untold requisites and admissions dictate life and circumstantial perspectives told in introductions, titles, chapters, descriptions, bio, testimonials, and naturally, poetry/storytelling. Yet, they’d be superior on a talk show, in a movie script, made-for-television, on a podcast, or in front of a judgmental influencer’s loyal audience. For example…
“I searched deep in my soul, asking God for his assurance. If true, some things are better left untold; I didn’t get the newsletter.” Some believe the greatest story has already been told; so, this one falls under the miscellaneous of “Nig, did what?” Self-published title:
“BUS 3609” Driving Bad/Living Worse! July 2022
Retail job boredom and repetition, the latest disease, I couldn’t conquer. Plus, family issues, lost loved ones, smoking Erb, drinking malt liquor, and going through more women than jobs. My absurd events were minimal. Compared to real players.
“While never confronting the man in the mirror, I kept telling myself – don’t do it, trust my instinct, not a trained therapist, and cozy couch before turning to School Bus Driving.
Self-published “LIFE RHYTHM STORYTELLING” August 2023
“Bus 3609” Featured Chapters.
– “Driving the High Life: Featuring ‘My Journey without a Forty between my Legs.”
– “Saints, My Ass, And Field Trip Breakdowns
– “Still Taste Like”
“Life Rhythm Storytelling”
Snippets:
– Prayer for disciples who won’t repent Family member Thrive, Take instead divide, Love must’ve been a Lie, Wasted Tears Sever Ties, Criminal Elements Collide Let my Truth Behold!
– Bell Bottom, Platform Shoe, Loud Colors had to be Wet-Look, Poly Shirt, Tight fit, Snug-Sexy
Add an Oversized Medallion Dangling on your Chest, for the Ladies to rub; Didn’t mind being their Pet!
Children’s Classic:
– She was rougher she was tougher stood out among the girls, a big sister though she was not, she didn’t wear little curls, you couldn’t bother her with small talk, wasting playful time, she had all those opposite qualities, Tomboyish that comes to mind!
– B: Is for books be the Best not the Bargain Brand, C: is Climb high and Challenge Yourself, D: that’s for Devotion and earning the Diploma on the shelf, Y: Yearning to know the answer all for Yourself, Z: is Zest, Zooming high and Zeal that’s why learning the alphabet is a never-ending wordly thrill!
So much for historical methodology and inherent biases…
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother and God. Whether it was the disabilities, challenges, doubts, anxiety, or disappointments, I was blessed to have a single mom’s unconditional love, guidance, and unwavering support. God obviously had my back during life-threatening and tumultuous times when I called for her and they took action instead.
Am I worthy? Some will question, but as we all do with others, and those with notorious pasts, we ask why them?
With my mom’s and God’s belief and faith, my book “BUS 3609” Driving Bad/Livings Worse, will shed light on an event that affected thousands of innocent lives, making my regrettable actions hard to fathom, and even then, I may not have been the worst villain.
And I quote John Milton’s 1634 poem “Comus,” “Was I deceived? Or did a sable cloud/Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Don’t do it, go with the others and take a different route home.” In my quest to show the older boys in the neighborhood camped out along the path home, that I wasn’t a wimp. At 11 years of age, I began smoking marijuana and drinking cheap wine. Naturally, exploring sex was far behind.
Although there was a small group of us to support one another, those with better sense and or scared to get caught, walked a different route.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Depends on which perception or version you catch at the time.
My work doesn’t fit my visage. If you’re going by what you’ve read, or the age range title. Amongst a variety of races, the real me and the public version vary.
In most cases… generally speaking. My personality, thoughts, and rationale, yes! I’m very humble, laid back, and never seek attention. I unquestionably don’t fit the profile and come across as pseudo-intellectual. Genuine, authentic, humorous, fun to be around, and compassionate are more my nature. Did I mention I change my look all the time too…
However, on the other hand, there are times when I have to tone it down. Opinionated, maybe to a small degree, when asked. Lastly, I never talk the talk unless I’ve walked the walk!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Why hadn’t I achieved loftier goals? As I grew up, I was an exceptional athlete. Excelling at every sport, I became the go-to person and never disappointed. In both team and individual activities, I stood apart. I was admired by peers and revered by coaches and adults. Suppose I had remained in my hometown of Los Angeles from the 6th grade. High school, college, and professional athletes would’ve spotted my ability and better prepared me for success.
Unfortunately, though I began to lose interest, mentors encouraged me to attend schools with historically successful coaches, teams, support, work ethics, and academics. Instead, I remained at the local neighborhood school where I was comfortable with friends and the surroundings. When an opportunity arose to attend a private school, which would have not only impacted my sports career but also my entire life, I wasn’t mentally prepared.
Later in my junior year, I took an emotional hit when my brother departed.
And finally, in my last year, though I badly wanted to excel and attend college, everything literally fell apart. A significant part of my disillusionment stemmed from self-indulgence and immaturity. Without a father present, I believe I was capable of making sound, life-changing decisions instead of relying on my mother’s guidance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bowserbarks.net
- Facebook: Kerry Lee Bowser, BowserKerry, TakingyouBack (I honestly do not post often)
- Soundcloud: 2Deep4U
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
