What did ‘Man of Steel’ miss except for the misplaced underwear :P

Where the hell is Clark Kent?

Superman is my favourite and maybe the only superhero i like... Many of us prefer him over the rest is because he has that human-normal-guy in him... clark kent – the nerd who is normal and shy... The superhero part comes later... Lois Lane should fall in love with Clark Kent not Superman...

Superhero element??

Superman is about him saving people in Earth, not about some boring story of how he came to Earth from Crypton... He saves the world yes but half of the story is about how his father sent him to earth.  And when he finally is on earth, its too gloomy... the sarcasm and the humor is missing unless at one point a woman says “i think he is hot”

Where is the lurrrveeee...

A suspicious Lois follows superman. Obviously the charm of the romance is missing. No chemistry, sigh. At least have good dialogues to cover it up? Not even a proper kiss? At somepoint they hold hands in some dessert and share a very awkward kiss.

Core Value of superman is missing. His dad dies, when he could have saved him.

Instead of creating the superhero part it gives us a tragic depressed feeling. Dad chooses to die than being rescued by a superhero son, I don’t expect it to be bollywood but oh common... it could have been better.

Superman is not about moral ambiguity but moral certainty. He worries about what to do and has doubts on how to act on it. He can’t grasp what the right thing is when the essence of his character is about doing the right thing at the right time. Not being able to bring it out in the movie is tragic.

The way he killed Zod. Unbelievably ridiculous !!

Why is superman so popular? It’s not his undies nor the cape...

It’s his ability to reach people, support them... his compassion... he was a hero for everybody... Not a man in a cape, not a disguised journalist, not just another friend, not just some lover... his character was an essence of every bit of it...

The core essence of his character... that was missing... !!!

To outgoing president with love...

I know this year was tough, 
not what u wanted it to be 
and not what u expected to be…
I know there were many let-downs, heartaches 
and disappointments...
But u made it through in style…

Listening to your “Outgoing President” speech today,
I’ve never felt more proud of u...
I've realized how much you've grown...

When we both took “this” up the year last July 2012,
we both said…
“what the heck, lets get it over with, we have each other when things go wrong”
U were right beside me when things went wrong, when things weren’t right and even when things turned upside down for me…
U were one of my biggest strengths… u were my "person"…
U always will be…

My neighbor, my sister, my friend, my person…
This is to you... 

Cheers Leo Shehari de Mel
For completing an awesome year… <3 span="">

End of an Era - Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient.... 10 years and counting...

we were never the best club in the district, we were never the most outstanding... we were never punctual (except shahen)... we were never a lot of things. We hated giving speeches (Milanka never turns up if he is given one), we hated formal meetings, we hated chief guests, we hated a lot of things that a normal Leo would like... which resulted in having extremely angry Leo Advisors. But we were definitely something, we stood out on our own grounds and we couldnt have asked for a bunch of better guys and girls to build this up to what it is... 

From the start we were outspoken, weird, not-normal, annoying (to other clubs) and ofcourse overflowing levels of creativity and irritating levels of self confidence. Whats so special? We had chemistry... Apart from the mutual weirdness we had a connection ! (not in a physical attractive way ewww) but in a way that we got each other, we had each others back, we supported each other and at some difficult points in our lives we were each others persons. All of us during our stay at the club did things that we never dreamt of doing. Dancing and singing in public are just two things. Maybe its doing things we are terrified of doing with a bunch of friends made us feel closer towards each other or maybe because we all went through same emotional rollercoaster everyday. We all had to face some of the most stressful exams in our life (ALs to Degree), we got scolded from homes for singing carols late nights, we fell in love, we fell out of love, we had long standing crushes (except for Rehan ofcourse), we started our first job, we lost loved ones and the list goes on.. There were times we hated each other mutually, we had our fights, arguments, disagreements, yellings. Then suddenly Chathu comes with extra make up to a meeting so we all bug her and forget why we all hated each other, Then we all scold Milanka or Dayan whose always late for dancing practices and he comes with food for everyone, then he becomes top one. We fight and fight before going carolling, then we get treated badly, we all get upset buy koththu, come to one house eat and sing baila till dawn. When we hug each other before going home we wonder, ok why did we fight? we had our times, good and bad.. best to worst... we had our moments. 

During the past 10 years this club had helped us become, Mothers, Fathers, Bankers, Air force Officers, Pilots, Engineers, Marketeers, Stock Brockers, Teachers, Lecturers, Entrepreneurs, Psychologists and the list goes on... a bunch of great friends and mostly extraordinary human beings... The best part of our chemistry is, even we don’t meet often, keep in touch since most of us are abroad, we know that one fine day if we accidentally bump into each other, we can hug with warmth and laugh from our hearts to catch up from where we left years before... and no matter what these bunch of people will always be close because that was one hell of an era in our lives which made us smile... no matter what life brings on, these bunch of people will always be reserved 'special' in our hearts... 

During the stay of Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient we all had at least one birthday celebrated together which was organized as a surprise (most of them were screwed halfway), had at least one reassuring hug from someone who comforted us, we all had at least one crush within us which didn’t work, hated someone enough to kill (literally), we all have lost a friend, found a best friend, had some of the moments that we know would never forget... 

Cheers to all of us at Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient, For all the hatred, and love Friendship and good times Surprise (or not) birthdays and cakes Spoilt dancing and off key singing practices Moments unforgettable... 

Cheers to Us Who kept Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient going for 10 years... 
Good Bye & Good Luck Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient, 10 years and counting....

Hope the new era will have more chemistry, more love and more fights for the new team to keep the flame going...

Major Turn Off’s for a Candidate at a job interview…. from a Interviewee point of view

I had just finished my MBA (hopefully) and was looking for a new job opportunity and was going through the usual process, applying via email and going for interviews.

We go for an interview because we get shortlisted, and it is only fair to expect to be treated in a professional manner, but in most cases it is NOT. There isn’t any point if you have a great product and high sales if you do not know how to attract candidates. Interviewers forget that apart from judging the interviewee that the employer is judged, you give us an insight about your company on the way you behave and although you might not realize it we evaluate you too. Just listing some of the unprofessional situations I’ve come across during the past few months.

1.       Friendly atmosphere at the Gate/Reception – Turn On

Most companies don’t do this, but when it happens you feel positive. Nestle had already given the names to the gate as well as reception and when you go they treat you by saying “Good Afternoon you are miss. ABC right?” At Avery Dennison, the security staffs wish you luck when you go in. 

2.       Extra Long queue for Interviews - Punctuality is Important!!! – Turn Off

 The awkwardness of being seated for more than half hour with a bunch of candidates can be horrifying. You stare at candidates faces and do the awkward smile and nod. Plus it’s a waste of time for us, we are punctual because we respect you and it is crucial to know if it is mutual.

Multi Nationals such as Mas Holdings, Nestle, Fonterra & hsenid have exactly started interviews on exact given time which is quite impressive.

3.       Interviewer not introducing himself – Lack of common courtesy !! – Turn Off Off Off

 In most cases I have to introduce myself and they never introduce themselves back, this is tragic especially since you are interviewed by middle to top level management. You feel very disrespected and hey its common courtesy, just say your name and smile it won’t cost you anything.

4.       List of unwanted looong questions – Seriously??? This is a killer turn Off

 You are trying test us we get it, but please make it relevant, once I was interviewed for about one and half hours long after seated for more than half hour. Some of the questions were ridiculous. They asked me “What is your worst nightmare?” and I wanted to answer “you” By the time the interview was over I was exhausted and I rejected the second interview because I was so irritated with the first.

5.       Not explaining the Job Role & Responsibilities to the candidate – Turn Off

Please take time to explain this without playing 20 question games with us. That’s the most important factor for us, and based on the job role only we can tell our expected package, and when you do the other way round it gives a feeling that the company is more interested in how much they have to pay rather than selecting the right candidate.

If you have a budget please tell without beating around the bush, we will agree or disagree and definitely respect you for being honest.

6.       Criticizing your Competitor – Major Turn Off

Remember that you haven’t still recruited us, so stop criticizing your competitor. Because of the clientele I have worked for I get picked for interviews by the competitor companies who expect me to talk about the campaigns of them which I found very degrading and low. Not only you are insecure it also makes us uncomfortable in the process.

7.       Follow up email – Turn On

Only few companies practice this, you know where you stand, I missed one job opportunity because I didn’t hear from them for one month. By the time they offered me the job I was employed elsewhere.

Misconception is that anyone would jump at an opportunity to join a Multi-National Company because of the reputation and perks, but I feel that people want to join because they are treated right, from a simple greeting to end of the interview. Sadly, in a country like Sri Lanka where job market is stagnated and when people are desperate for jobs, candidates are left with no right to complain. But you just might lose a good candidate just because you don’t treat them right…. and because you forget that they evaluate you too…

It may just be a Receptionist or CEO, interview is an invitation given by you, so treat them right. Who knows the testimony or an insult you receive by a candidate might take you a long way ;)

6 months as a District President..... a Roller Coaster Ride :D

Acting with impulse and going with instincts has always been my thing.

WHY on earth did I agree to be the District President, I question myself, even today. Before I did, I took a piece of paper wrote down the pro’s and con’s – Con’s were soo many… Pro’s – just one… my team, and pro’s overlapped cons with a huge gap…

One thing I forgot… if the only strength I had fell apart what would be my strength? Sometimes your weakness becomes your strength, and sometimes your strength becomes your weakness…



Anyone thinks that becoming a district president is crazy when the Leo movement is trampling down?, yes totally…



but a mistake? Definitely not… for so many reasons . !!



It helps you grow; a LOT… Gives you perspective… all those quotes by famous people become reality…


“One of the best protections against disappointment is to have a lot going on.”

Friends disappoint you is the fact, but when they let you down so bad, u have to fight with the little bit of faith u’ve left in yourself to climb back up…at the start u have a BIG team, some disappear, some let u down, some joined in, some surprise u, some help u, some stand right beside u when some just leave…and sometimes “some”come back :)



When ur too busy working with the ones who are with u, u don’t have time for the ones who left ;)



2. This few months have been like a carnival ride filled with good Surprises - People surprise you, yes in good ways. Sometimes they prove all the theories wrong and help you and stand beside you and never forget to put a smile on your stressful face… :P

Sometimes u just have to… close ur eyes and enjoy the ride…



3. “Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”

There are two ways to be happy. Improve ur reality and lower your expectations. People pass balls all the time...U can’t expect people to have the same dedication as u, at the end of the day the ball will always be in your court…It’s like running your own business, you are responsible no matter what happens….

If people can pass their own balls, believe me they will do it too :P



4. Someone said “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” Not in my case.

One person calling you 23 times during a day, calling ten times to ask the same question, message 15 times per day. U still need to keep your calm and answer with same tone and the same smile over and over…

What works for me speak the truth always…. Stick? Well use it no point just carrying it unless u cant hammer someone with it right ;)



5. “Why is patience so important?"

"Because it makes us pay attention.”

people don’t answer calls, they don’t bother to call back. They are 24/7 online, they know u can see but still… u cant take things personally. Need to understand that priority levels of people are different, so do levels of integrities.

If u don’t get that u have a huge price to pay.. for all the broken furniture u hammered everytime u lost patience :P



6. “When you decide to hit rock bottom, humiliation is part of the deal.”



Face the worst case scenario with a smile– “promises are meant to be broken” people promise things but rarely deliver. Don’t bother excusing themselves and never turn up. When you are questioned from higher levels, you need to be graceful enough to save their backs, answer for them and take the blame totally on you. Because it’s your district, and you are answerable for your team no matter what…



7. “Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy. “

People will give you targets, give you suggestions, offer advice. Understand your role, sometimes its all about listening, sometimes its about convincing others to do what is best and sometimes influencing others to do what needs to be done.

And sometimes it means saying “shut the hell up” in a polite way



8. Attitude – is everything… There are times you lose confidence and sanity. Times you feel as if everything is going to fail, times you just need to have that “positive” attitude for the sake of few people who believe in you and who believe that things are going to work… :)

Plus its good for your health :P



“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”



Becoming the District President? There are times I hit my face on the floor, there are times it put a smile on my face, and there are times I wanted to shoot myself….



But… do I regret it? Not one single day…



Be sincere, worked so far and always will…



6 months gone and 6 months more to go and enjoying every day of this Leoistic year, believing in people around me, trusting my ability, having faith in my team… awaiting a lot of shocks and surprises…



I still hope, by end of the year I can still say my tagline out loud “winners make it happen”