You would have to be a very long time driver to remember James Riley. I first met James twenty years ago. He was a United Cab driver who had a few crazy girlfriends if I remember. He disappeared for a few years. Then, he showed up on the old 23 stand one day in 2010. I took this photo. Then, he vanished again. Today, I got an email from him and he is living in los Angeles. That's about all it said. This is the entry I did in 2010.
I was sitting on the Dale Mabry strip zone stand waiting for a call. This little toyota came puling up, which is not unusual. People often ask the cab driver for directions this time of year. The guy behind the wheel looked familier, perhaps he was someone I have picked up before. As he got close, I could tell it was James Riley. I had not seen this guy since 2002 when he left town after his girlfriend flipped out on him and left him holding the bag. James "Irish" Riley.
He said he had been living in New York but was kind of vague on details. He has an apartment but no phone. The reason he was in Tampa was to look over his parants house in Lake County. He just wanted to catch up with some old friends.
I owe a lot to Riley. He was my first friend when I moved back to Tampa in 1995 and he helped me get my first apartment. He was my neighbor for many years. I wonder if I ever will see him again.
Oh, if he looks stoned....He is!
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Yeah Tim I remember James. The last time I saw him I was still driving. I got a call to go to the old hotel on Kennedy and No. Blvd. Took him to see his brother in Brandon. He was stoned than too and had a pocket full of money. I took one of his crazy girl friends to get him out of jail on time. Sorry don't remember the year. I too liked him. Larry 157
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