I have this friend...

"I have this friend, Stephen. He has a lot of amazing qualities about him which include but are not limited to: being a great cook, an awesome tennis player and an amazing karaoke singer—plus the fact that he is super smart and gets along with just about everyone. But the best and most important thing about Stephen is that he is funny. I hope he can find someone equally as awesome as he is because he deserves no less!"

"I have this friend, Jamie. It would be unfair for me to simply describe Jamie as one in a million. She's tall, gorgeous, intelligent, motivated and is one of the few people I know with a green thumb. We've done everything from hiking in Malibu at the crack of dawn, to walking a few miles through Skid Row in the middle of the night because we forgot where the car was parked. Jamie works harder than most people I know, but still has time to DIY her cute house and volunteer in an emergency room. Her infectious sense of humor has literally made me pee my pants before, and I swear it wasn't because we were day-drinking at the beach out of her cooler with built-in speakers. I can't wait for the day she meets a dashing young fellow who will be able to keep up with her, but also wind down with plenty of wine and Netflix."

"I have this friend, Jax. I could say she’s sweet and smart and awesome to be around, but really that's boring, and Jax is anything but boring. She is sexy and witty and will always keep you on your toes. Plus, she’s got skills. She can macramé (don’t worry, I had to look it up too when she first told me about it), she mulls a mean wine and she can hand-make the shit out of some delicious pasta. There is never a dull moment with this chica, unless it's called for. Then you can enjoy some nice R&R near Echo Park Lake over a Mexican serape. Conversations with this pretty lady are captivating, her laugh is infectious and her sneeze(s) are the cutest thing you ever did see. Warning: You must share food, no exception. I could keep going but I was told to keep it brief, just know this gal is game for anything. The man who snags her will go on the adventure of a lifetime."

"I have this friend, Kate. She is a force. She's a Brown undergrad and UCLA B-school educated, but lives on the canals in Venice and chose a career as a matchmaker. She gets into trouble on weekends but knows how to keep it professional during the week. She's been known to host many a last minute living room dance party, she's the first to sign up a team of friends for a scavenger hunt and is always down for a last minute road trip. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it, but is a huge sweetheart underneath it all."

"I have this friend, Jesse. The first thing to notice about him is that he is inordinately handsome, the way trees are handsome, the way birds are handsome, the way the complex and often misunderstood rules of baseball are inordinately handsome. This was what I noticed, many years ago, when Tom Clancy was still alive. Then the years passed: Gabriel García Marquez died, Ray Bradbury died, Donna Summer struggled with lung cancer for a while before ultimately dying. Meanwhile, the hair fell down around Jesse’s ears like a marvelous race-car, it fell down like a wayward train, it fell down wet and full of vigor, it tickled his neck with sin, and there were many of us who wanted an end to it (the hair). This was before we knew its power."

"I have this friend, Jess. She's like a glass of champagne on a hot summer day: cool, effervescent, refreshing and utterly intoxicating. In other words, she's the best. Jess is always on the lookout for enrichment, whether that means finding choice eats, cocktails, concerts, lectures, museum exhibitions or dance classes (and let me tell you, gents, she's got killer dancer's legs). She has an inspiring curiosity about all things and genuinely loves learning about other people. She's a wonderful conversationalist and that sparkling smile of hers could melt an igloo. Her style is both the delight and envy of those around her and is an apt reflection of her personality: creative, urban and fun with accents of sass. Most importantly, she's kind to her core and shines with a heart of gold that deserves to be romanced with some old Hollywood chivalry." 

"I have this friend, Tali. She's a blast. She is exciting, interesting, fun and very kind. Also, Tali plays on LA's best all-female basketball team, the Pistol Shrimps, which only adds to her coolness. Let's get her a boyfriend!" 

"I have this friend, Shane. He has everything going for him, yet he always manages to stay humble and down to earth. He’s a ridiculously talented writer (he writes a killer sex column) and always has a good pun up his sleeve. He never skips an opportunity to help others out, and he’s one of the most open-minded people I’ve met in LA—you can talk to him about anything without him batting an eye. He’s warm, friendly and gets along with people from all walks of life. He’s always smiling and adorably cuddly; honestly, you’ll probably meet him and immediately want to pick him up and squeeze him." 

"I have this friend, Jessica. She is adventurous and silly and the most insightful person you will ever meet. When she isn't trekking through the great outdoors (which could range from hiking Malibu Creek State Park to canoeing the Lewis and Clark trail), she is canvassing LA for the latest great restaurants and bars. She's the gal who seems to magically know about the hottest new singer or band before anyone else. By the time you've heard them on the radio, she'll have already purchased tickets to their show. And she has excellent taste in music. She isn't ashamed to send friends and family copious links to her favorite viral videos (most involve screaming goats or Corgi puppies). She is also an amazing chef and can whip up anything at a moment's notice, so you'll never be hungry. Her lemon bars are out of this world."

"I have this friend, Jay. She is hands-down an amazing catch… I honestly can’t believe she's single. She's a strong, beautiful, independent woman, but is also extremely thoughtful and loving. Jay is incredibly smart and hard-working, and still makes time to have fun and hang out with her friends… and do six-hour workout challenges and Spartan races! She knows how to cheer everyone up and immediately lightens the mood when she enters a room. And she's the type of person who is suddenly friends with everyone at the bar when I leave her alone for five minutes. Most importantly, she is direct, honest and loyal."

"Dan is genuine and caring, he's a good person in all aspects of life. It sounds cliche but he's cool, funny and a true friend. He has great taste in music and food (he's a DJ and a chef!). He is also smart and successful in his career, and deserves to meet someone who appreciates his big heart." 

"I have this friend, Adria. A native of New Jersey, she spent most of her teen and college days in NYC, but has now been in LA for almost five years. She wears many hats: Script writer, actress, comedian. In and outside of work, she'swildly funny and is always seeking adventure. The girl knows where to get great Italian food, and in the same day you'll probably find her going for a long hike. She needs someone who can keep up, but who also enjoys relaxing—the girl can cook a meal and whip up a cheese plate like no other. She's sassy, spunky and a great catch."

"Juliet is your girl in-the-know. She has more pop culture, political and useless knowledge than any one human has ever had. But she is never too aloof to explain her obscure reference to you. I've learned so much from being friends with this lady! But the thing I love most about Juliet is that she's fiercely loyal and she always keeps her promises. She will show up for you when you need her, and that's not easy to find in LA. So if you're looking for a really fun time, with an extremely intelligent and kind girl, hit her up. But if you make fun of One Direction, you might as well forget about it now—that's where she draws the line."

"I have this friend, Andrew. His charming personality certainly mirrors his past: West Coast chill punctuated with East Coast sensibility. He's hilarious—think John Oliver meets a hangry Tina Fey. He's also a bit of a boozehound in the best possible way, ready to bike across town to determine for himself whether or not LA's latest and greatest bloody mary lives up to the hype.  Even though he's been in NYC and LA for the better part of a decade, fear not as his southern roots can be found in his love of college football (War Damn Eagle!) and his stumbled-out-of-a-J. Crew-catalog fashion sense. Bottom line: be prepared to try new things and have an adventure with Andrew because he's not one to sit back and watch a long weekend pass him by. Instead, you'll likely see him out and about, appreciating all the amazing things—both large and small—that southern California has to offer." 

"I have this friend, Danielle. She’s just as likely to greet you with a huge smile as she is with some hilarious anecdote—she’s got a deadpan sense of humor that just comes out of nowhere. Danielle grew up in Hawaii, which is probably why she’s so incredibly laid back—except when the Eagles are playing (you should probably be a football fan if you want to date this babe). She’s extremely dedicated to her job but makes a point to have a social life, too, especially when it comes to going out for great food and cocktails. Good thing she knows all the best places to find both! She’s gorgeous, has phenomenal style (I want everything in her closet) and loves to travel—and you’d be one lucky dude to travel with her."

"I have this friend, Haley. When I first moved here, she helped me fall in love with Los Angeles due to her inspiring amount of positive energy (and her homemade cold-pressed juices). She's a mix of down-home Southern hospitality and West coast sass; a food blogger, social butterfly and talented photographer. With her, I can count on all the bases being covered: amazing home-cooked food, a great hole-in-the-wall bar for a round or two afterward and gorgeous photos to document it all. I promise there's no better chick to spend a Friday night with—bonus points if you have a labradoodle."

"I have this friend, Eric. He is generous without expectation and is constantly supporting others—I just don't know how this guy is not married with kids! He's one of those people that is good at everything they do and also so modest. He DJs at night, moonlights as a photographer, builds websites and is an amazing dancer and friend. If there was anyone you'd want to explore this beautiful city of Los Angeles with, it'd be this green-eyed, taste-making nightlife aficionado."

"I have this friend, Christina. She has this rare ability to be super fabulous and super down all at the same time. Her favorite restaurant is Shakey's and she loves Taco Bell without a hint of irony. She also manages to work extremely hard at a boutique entertainment law firm, constantly cracks jokes and is a super kind daughter, sister and friend. She's a huge hip hop head and won't stop talking about just how important Kendrick Lamar is. She's a second generation Iranian-American whose dad used to hang out with Frank Sinatra in the 60s, so she's essentially LA royalty. Christina has recently learned how to cook Persian food and is always the hostess with the mostest. She once served champagne to half of a Hollywood Bowl shuttle bus—hopefully that wasn't illegal."

"I have this friend, Trishna. She's down for whatever, whenever and has a warm and open energy. This girl can be friends with everyone, because she’s kind, inquisitive and well-rounded. People of all ages and cultures seem to gravitate towards her. She's an athlete too—a former UCLA gymnast and NCAA champion, to be exact. And she's hilarious. Not in that joke–telling, forced way, just in the way she sees and goes through life. If you can't hang with smart conversation and a pace to match, don't bother wasting your time, she'll just end up breaking your heart. Bonus: The girl loves college football and making nachos."

"I have this friend, Corey. I've known him for five years now and he is still one of the nicest guys I've met in California. He's genuinely friendly and has that rare ability where he makes everyone feel comfortable—I'm sure his great sense of humor and killer smile don't hurt! He's down to earth even though he is super smart (just finished grad school at Stanford) and talented (laaaadies, he plays the guitar). If you're looking for a great guy who is easygoing and always up for exploring LA, Corey's your man."

"I have this friend, Caylie. She is outgoing, quick-witted and has an infectious laugh. Caylie is always down to try new things, meet new people and take on any adventure you throw her way. She's a romantic as well with a heart the size of her home state of Texas. Caylie has the kind of energy that lights up a room and charms everyone who's lucky enough to get to know her. If you like romance, being adventurous and having a blast, Caylie is the girl for you!" 

"I have this friend, Candice. She's uber creative with a passion for the outdoors, photography and writing. This girl is active and she's always down to go on an adventure somewhere or hit up a trail. She's open-minded and is one of those people who you can talk to anytime about anything for hours. Once you meet her, you'll quickly realize she's a down to earth chick who's authentic to the max. Her generous nature of wanting to help others and her bohemian flair makes her a one-of-a-kind catch. (Tip: She's a sucker for nice smiles and guys who make her laugh.)" 

"I have this friend, Nick. He's a super stylish creative type who will nerd out with you over interior design and fashion just as much as he'll nerd out about space and sci-fi (which is a lot). He's also totally music-obsessed: he's got almost 100 playlists to share with you, and the guy regularly offers to drive so he can play music for his friends in the car. Swoon. He's smart, funny and always making things—most recently he built a coffee table from scratch, and now he's working on a game. You'll never be bored with this dude. You'll also never drink coffee with him (he's allergic). You will, however, most definitely get your photo taken, a lot. Also, ladies, that hair. Double swoon."

"I have this friend, Molly. She's incredibly smart and well-read, but also super down to earth. She's funny, witty and tells it like it is, and seems wise beyond her years (cliche, but it's true). Molly is a voracious consumer of all media (I've inherited some great books and records from her), an observant and easy-going traveler and an amazing barista—maybe you've seen her at Dinosaur Coffee on the weekends, where both her coworkers and customers constantly sing her praises. She's a patient and caring partner and friend, and also a hell of a lot of fun to have a beer (or three) with."

"I have this friend, Shireen. She's my girlfriend's roommate and an absolutely rad human being. She's originally from England, spent four years in NYC and has trotted all over the globe. Which brings me to the fact that she's an avid surfer, having caught waves in eight of the 26 countries she's visited. Aside from having amazing hobbies and a sweet demeanor, Shireen has also dedicated her professional life to promoting social responsibility through the art, fashion and travel industries. So, yeah, she's a catch."

"I have this friend, Thomas. He's a super sweet, super stylish babe with a great smile and a great brain. He's a writer, and his short stories are some of the most imaginative I've ever read. He's also a DJ for fun, and spins some really great stuff. His music knowledge is tops, and ladies, he makes a mean mix tape. Thomas can be a little shy, but he's well worth getting to know—he's also a total dreamboat, which helps." 

"I have this friend, Amy. She's one of the most loyal people I know—get to know her and she'll stick by you no matter what. She's completely dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to, whether it's starting a career as a Pilates instructor (guys, she'll probably kick your ass in crunches) or mastering no-bake cheesecake made with cauliflower (this lady can cook). If you're looking for someone to enjoy LA with, Amy's your girl—she plans killer beach days and winery trips. Her ideal night out is grabbing a beer at a low-key bar to watch the Patriots or Red Sox, so yeah, fellas, get in line." 

"I have this friend, Lauren. She's confident, strong (both mentally and physically—girl works out) and fucking hilarious. She'll make jokes all day, but she doesn't suffer fools and certainly won't date one. If you treat her right you may get to meet her pit mix, Beef Wellington, or taste her Louisiana-style home cooking. Lauren is my go-to girl for solid advice, ass-kicking hikes and nights on the town (or on the couch with a bottle of wine). Any guy would be lucky to hang with this babe."

"I have this friend, Dominic. One of the best things about him is that when we’re together, we talk about real stuff. He's so good at connecting with people, and on top of that, he's incredibly loyal, caring, fun, true to himself, so motivated and successful. He started his own business from scratch when he was 20, he has a popular podcast and if he sets a goal, he hits it (like a badass sub-4 hour marathon). I admire so much about him! Bottom line, he's a total catch."

"I have this friend, Victoria. She's a big personality in a small frame: intelligent, hilarious (must appreciate sarcasm) and driven. She's got a big heart and knows how to have fun—she has an infectious smile and laugh, and owns a rad golden retriever named Guera who has her own Instagram account. Vic's from Texas, and her southern hospitality is evident in her manners—she'll treat you right. This babe is fiercely loyal and romantic, and a total catch."