Anyone living in the Shrewsbury, Worcester, Northboro etc... area knows "The Dragon." Dragon 88 (alias: Dragon Shady-Eight) on Shrewsbury Street, Boylston is where I have some of my fondest childhood memories, as well as my most regrettable/forgettable 18+ experiences (let's face it, they didn't start carding until just recently). And while I know that the Dragon will always be there, the part of me with better judgement (though small) knows that a quiet petition to shut down the Dragon would probably better the community, and seriously lower the DUI count in the area. I know this is not a laughing matter, but just take a peek through the Christmas light-lined doors, to the right of the golden Buddha cat, and five paces past the yin-yang, and try to tell me you're not laughing.
Or crying...And it is with the following events in mind that I solemnly swear never to cross their Mai-Tai soaked rugs again, here's why:
1. New Years Eve, 2007-2008: Do not judge by my New Years activities alone. Yes, it was pathetic but to the Dragon's credit...it was cheap. This particular New Years involved:
One: Delicious, but probably below health-code standards flaming PuPu Platter
One: Cauldron-sized Scorpion Bowl
Two: Half finished Mai-Tais (No one seemed to notice that I dumped them in the bathroom sink).
Surrounded by the dollar bills that customers seem all too willing to autograph and display on the walls, it seemed perfectly ironic that I was stuck footing the bill for my "too drunk to remember his wallet" Ex. And let's review, the Mai-Tais are dirt cheap and strong as hell, I can't get through one, but the challenge is not so great for someone I will fondly remember as a keg with legs. So this New Years will count doubly, this year's celebration as well as last years to make up for the year I dropped the ball at the Dragon.
2. Spring 2008: This incident actually happened to a good friend whose last stop was the Dragon before a nasty spill that involved stairs and respiratory assistance.
3. November 2008: My culinary companion's birthday, which for some yet to be explained reason, resulted in a stop at the Dragon. It has been a few months and I'd almost forgotten why I hated the place so much, how quickly my memory returned. The visit itself wasn't particularly memorable, just some laughs as we watched a young man flee from the claws of a stalking cougar, a regular night. This normal night involved: ONE: Mai Tai... And the next think I knew I was half asleep mumbling about elephants while the rest of his poor family was trying to watch a movie. An instance like this makes me seriously question what's in that giant Mai Tai pitcher, and think that maybe there's a pitcher for girls, and another for the guys. I will forever stand by my belief that there was something extra in that drink. Elephants?
4. Later November 2008: This one was not my fault, and didn't even really result in anything too traumatic. The hometown "thing" is to gather at the Dragon the night before Thanksgiving to see everyone you graduated with and hoped you'd never see again. To be fair, this was an event I wasn't even aware of until this year, and was something I graciously agreed to, in exchange for a week's worth of servitude and three back rubs. Ten minutes into the bar wait, and at least 75 people over fire code, I found myself shoulder to shoulder with : the jocks, nerds, drama queens, sluts, bullys, someones ex-girlfriend, one night stand, two ex boyfriends, and a few too-old-to-be-there teachers. On this particular night the Dragon taught me: You can no longer come here just for the amazing crab-Rangoon's, and if you are here next year...you're already on a seriously steep downhill rum-run.
As we've seen, nothing good ever comes out of the Dragon, Kublai freaking Khan could not walk out of there with any pride, so let's just cut our losses and make a break for PF Changs, $15 for a Mai Tai, roofies are extra.
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1 comment:
I like lauren didnt know about the reunions that happen at the dragon till this year. And right when I walked through the door to the 88 I wished that I could reverse time. Reverse time to when I first heard about this idea and slapped that person silly
Nov 2008. It was a first experience for me walking through those doors on this night and I can definitly tell you it will be my last. Yes there are moments in your life where you would like to go back and see those who went their seperate ways, to see old friends or "acquaintances" and see how far off the totem poll they have dropped.
But there are also those who you wished you would never see again. those who were such a pain in your younger years you just wished them gone forever.
This night was soo jam packed with a series of graduating classes that is was impossible to see those you wanted too, over those who u wanted to miss.
I am in complete agreeance with lauren and her article in every way. the 88 is a slum, and should be whipped off the map for everyones sake. for our class so events like this never happen again. for older classes who i hope to god have not been doing this for years, I guess it would be harder for them to give up at this point. and for any younger class who think they can get into the 88 and take advantage while they can.
To those who I was glad to see again that night, you know who you are, I really loved and enjoyed seeing you again and like always wish you the best of luck, enjoy what life has to offer (and to those who spent the long ass time at the bar getting drinks and buyin me one all love for ya)
and to those I pray to forget.... im still prayin haha
Chuck
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