JEFF CAPLAN'S MY MINUTE OF NEWS
Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: That moment when you realize you’re a moron
Jun 3, 2024, 9:00 PM
We've all had embarrassing conversational moments at summer parties. Right? (Canva)
(Canva)
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — When I was 19-years-old I got to go backstage at an outdoor concert. You probably never heard of the band: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
Backstage I met a guy and we chatted and I said, “What do you do?” My buddy is mortified and says, “You dope, this is Southside Johnny!”
This guy was a hero to cool college kids. I felt two inches tall as I stammered “Uh… didn’t recognize you with your sunglasses on.”
I was dying inside — so embarrassed — and did it again Saturday night.
We’re at a backyard party in Ogden for a friend’s birthday and I’m eating at a picnic table. Guy sits down with us and we’re talking about the new hockey team and the billion-dollar makeover for the city. I’m being all Mr Smart Guy telling him fact after fact about the deal. He tells me how upset he is they might wreck Abravenel Hall.
After about 10 minutes I say, “And what do you do?” He mumbles “I’m a retired lawyer.”
The whole time my wife is cringing and she tries to help. She says, “Oh honey we’ve met before.”
It doesn’t click and I say to this white-haired guy, “Where do you live?”
Which is the stupidest question in the world when the guy spent eight years as Mayor of Salt Lake City — and just ran again. It’s Rocky Anderson sitting across from me. Whom I’ve interviewed. Repeatedly. Argh.
I was so embarrassed and tried to pass it off as a senior moment. But it’s not because I did the same thing when I was 19 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Another party, another mistake, so if YOU ever invite me to one… make sure everybody has name tags.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
