Those of you who have attended the last few years at the Romantic Times convention may have remembered a man with a incredibly warm personality and a fabulous smile. He won Mr. Congeniality in Houston in 2000. Drum roll please…..may I introduce the one and only......
Sylvester Bowden
Deborah: Thank you for taking the time out for doing this interview Sylvester.
Sylvester: My Pleasure Deborah!
Deb: Please tell us a little about yourself, what you do for a living, what area are you from, favorite hobbies/interests?
Sly: Well for starters, I am a southern country guy from Bay City Texas. Currently, I am living in Houston Texas. I work as an IT Manager for a Company that franchise different brand hotels. I am pretty much a laid back kind of guy. I feel comfortable stating that I have a nice personality, as well as a unique sense of humor. As for as hobbies, I enjoy working out, trying to stay healthy, traveling outside the U.S. and most of all, I enjoy meeting people of different cultures from around the world. I find learning others culture a learning tool.
Deb: Can you tell us how you got interested in the Mr. Romance competition?
Sly: Sure! There were a few RT committee members having lunch at one of our hotels and was looking for a few good Texas men to try out to see if they would qualify for the RT event that would be held in Houston. While the committee were having lunch, one of the managers of the hotel had informed them that I was the 'fashion model-guy' of the company and I might qualify. The manager phoned me and ask that I come to meet RT staff members in the Restaurant. As soon as I arrive, I remembered Martha Hicks, Sharon Murphy, and Marilyn Campbell, all greeting me with such kindness and warmth. They introduced themselves and explained to me RT and the Competition try-outs. Everything was presented with such style and humor. I felt as if I had known these ladies for a long time. After their introduction, I immediately agreed to give it a try. After that, they sent me on my way, cause their food was getting cold..hehe!! I returned to my office and launched RT's website to learn more information. At that time I knew I was interested.
Deb: You have attended both the Houston and the Orlando convention, and I've read that you are coming back in Reno. What do you like most about attending the conventions?
Sly: What I like the most about the conventions is meeting and getting to know the readers, writers, authors, and the people behind the entire convention. You just do not know how many of them that I have had the pleasure to keep in touch with throughout the years. Also, it is fun looking forward to meeting them again each year.
Deb: Do you have any favorite memories you would like to share?
Sly: Oh Yes! I will never forget this, as long as I live. I was in Italy on the Lady Barrow's Shop-til-you-drop tour featuring John DeSalvo. We were all at this lovely restaurant having Italian dinner, wine, and nice music, when all of a sudden, one of the RT ladies just came out and asked. "So tell us Sly, do you moisturize? I looked over at John and he gave me this expression - Sly you are on your own on that one. I looked at her, slowly pulled that bottled of wine out of her reach and said "Excuse me?" She then stated "You know, moisturize as in facial cleaning!" I was like Oh...what a relief!! At first I thought I was going to have to go to the restroom to check myself. The ladies can be lots of fun and very supportive.
Deb: For all the ladies reading this, could you define romance. And what do you consider
romantic?
Sly: For me, romance is a mood, a feeling, a state of being. Being with that special woman and surrounded by the beauty of nature. A perfect romantic evening starts with a slow walk at dust in the quiet countryside. While listening to the whispering of the wind, we sit together hand-in-hand under a vast weeping willow tree and think of nothing but each other. As the sunset over the horizon, we gaze into each other's eyes and ponder our everlasting love. The warmth of the summer sun embraces us as we seal the evening with a gentle kiss. This is what I consider romantic. Hehe! I guess you can tell I am a country boy huh?
Deb: Have you ever read a romance novel?
Sly: To be honest, I have not read one from beginning to the end; however, when I was a kid, I use to hang around my mother when she would read her books of Danielle Steele. But thanks to this year's Convention, I am currently reading Heart Of A Lion by Hillary Fields.
Deb: I've read on your website that you are involved in several charities. Could you tell us about them and how you got involved with them?
Sly: Well, I have always liked working with kids. While studying in college, I coached basketball for 11, 12, 13 yr olds at our Parks and Recreational Center. Now that I am a bit busy, I try to make time to volunteer for certain organizations like Child Advocate, and Houston Proud. Child Advocate is a non profit organization here in Houston who provides hope to abused and neglected children. To me, no matter what, a child comes 1st. Houston Proud is a non-profit organization that help organize different events throughout Houston when volunteering is needed. My favorite event to volunteer would be the Houston's International Arts Festival that is held once a year in April and salutes a different country each year.
Deb: Do you have any interest in pursuing a modeling or acting career?
Sly: Yes! I am interested in pursuing a model or acting career. I am in my mid-30's and would like to join those who are out there that are in my age bracket that are showing the world that modeling is not just for youngster's.
Deb: What are your long terms goals for your future? I've read in several interviews that you are interested in opening a Cafe?
Sly: Yes! This is one of my long term goals. The café would not be your typical café. It would be an environment where people can come to relax, hangout with friends, enjoy a nice international beverage and dessert. A place to get away from rush hour traffic or stress relief from the job or school. A place where people can come and chit-chat with their girl-guy friends and enjoy the atmosphere, as well. My other long term goal is to have my own Bed and Breakfast. After traveling around the world and staying in B&B; I always become comfortable with the owners, staff and the atmosphere. Makes me feel like I am part of their family.
Deb: "If you had one hour each day to relax completely, what would you want to do for that hour?"*
Sly: Relax in a wet sauna, listening to instrumental music.
Deb: "What is something you have not yet done that you believe you can accomplish during your lifetime?"*
Sly: Bungee Jumping!
Deb: "If you were granted one wish, what would it be?"*
Sly: Ask for three more wishes! ((laughing)) Now you did say these were fun questions…right???!
Deb: "If you could change one thing in the world right now, what would you alter?"*
Sly: The word Hate! It is sad that we have hatred in the world against one another!
Deb: "If you could be stranded forever on a desert island and could have only one book to read, which would you want?"*
Sly: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. This is the 1st book that I have ever enjoyed reading and studying!
Deb: "If you could be guaranteed one thing in life besides money what would you ask for?"*
Sly: Good Health! Without it, we are limited in many ways!
Deb: "If you had to choose the single most valuable thing you ever learned, what would it be?"*
Sly: The most single valuable thing would be Respect!
Deb: "If you are given a magic potion that allows you to be invisible for one hour and on hour only. What would you want to do during your hour of invisibility?"*
Sly: WoW! This is rather a tough one. I think I would want to stand behind the President of the United States and watch over his shoulder to see if he really reads everything that comes across his desk before signing it.
Deb: "If you were asked to create the ultimate vacation destination, what would it be like and where would it be located?"*
Sly: Oh that's easy. Kuta Beach, Bali Indonesia. Sitting there under a coconut tree with the local massage ladies rubbing you down with their home-made oils, while you eat fresh fruits and sipping on young coconut juice, would be the ultimate vacation.
Deb: "If you had to wear a button with a maximum of five words on it describing your outlook on life, what would your button say?"*
Sly: Keep Life Safe and Simple!
Deb: Thank you Sylvester *G*, and take your time answering the questions.
Sylvester: No, Thank you Deborah! I have really enjoyed this interview with you!! ((smiles))!! See you in Reno!
Ladies, to find out more about Sylvester Bowden, check out his website at http://geocities.com/imakasly/
All photos are © 2002 Sylvester Bowden and used with permission.
* Questions taken from the book, "The Conversation Piece" by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie.
Background by ClickArt.
Interview © 2002
