10 Friends You Need to Have By 30

Another post from frisky.com:

From the time you were in preschool and your mom picked your play dates, you’ve been building relationships with people. And sometimes, when you have things in common and get along with one another, you become friends. You might think that you have enough friends in your life, but really, can you ever have too many? Plus, you never know when you’re going to need a hand saw, so you better have someone in your cell phone who owns one.

1. The Style Guru
Everyone needs someone who can help them figure out which dress is appropriate for “black-tie optional” weddings, and whether you can get away with wearing a green sweater with a red belt. (The answer to the latter is “probably not,” unless you are a Christmas Elf.) Kelly's pick: All my metrosexual guy friends. Which means 89% of my guy friends.

2. The Mr./Ms. Fix-it
You bought a new bike online, but the instructions for putting it together appear to be written in a language you do not speak. It’s time to call the friend who has a knack for building things and owns all the right tools. Kelly's pick: Sean Y. has moved my furniture and fixed more computer issues than Microsoft's Computer Issue Resolution Team. Not sure those people exist but let's thank Sean for allowing me to delight you with blog posts and Facebook updates.

3. The Good-Time Gal
If you’re feeling antsy with nothing to do on a Friday night, call this friend, who is generally up for doing anything at any time. She’ll cook up plans that involve dancing on banquets or singing Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” in the time it takes you to change out of your work clothes and slap on a fresh coat of mascara. Kelly's pick: All my college besties for sure! I just wish Erin R., Jen W., Amanda C., Katie H., or Amy A. lived close by... I'd even take a freakin' NEIGHBORING STATE! I guess for the moment I'll have to be okay with my good-time gal being a guy named Jay E.

4. The Health Nut
During the times when you suddenly decide to start working out or eating food other than take-out and delicacies from the frozen-food aisle, it’s good to have someone who reads every health and fitness magazine and loves to dispense instructions on the proper squat form and to pass along recipes for protein-rich meals. Kelly's pick: Lisa M. is the dietitian extraordinaire. She can make wheat germ and flax seed taste like Oreo cookies and milkshakes!

5. The Ear
You had a sucky day at work and hate everything in your closet. What do you do? Call the friend who will calmly listen to all of your problems and then, at the appropriate time, give you a few pearls of wisdom. Kelly's pick: Sean Y., Susie H., Cousin, and Nate B. would be good ones to mention. But Jennie H. is most definitely the best therapist-friend out there! And she doesn't even charge me!

6. The Do-It-Herselfer
Hemming vintage dresses or whipping up a crème brûlée might not come naturally to you, but with the help of a skillful friend, you’ll develop new talents in no time. Kelly's pick: All my do-it-herselfers live out of state (Amy. A., Ashley H., AZ cousins, etc.). Now accepting applications from Utah residents... you'd think this would be an easy one to fill here.

7. The Culture Guru
If you like the idea of going to see that new up-and-coming band perform, befriend someone who knows who’s playing and what exhibits are on display. Kelly's pick: Wow, another one I'll have to go out of state for: Erin R. I'm starting to think I need to expand my social circle here.

8. The Healthcare Professional
Make friends with a doctor or nurse. Then, when you wake up with ginormous swollen glands, you won’t have to wait for an appointment to get medicine to cure what ails you. Kelly's pick: Dr. David Crockett and my brother even though most times they end up telling me, "You should go see a doctor."

9. The Legal Adviser
We all make mistakes. A need for speed can lead to you getting pulled over, and a lively party might end with a noise violation. If you have a friend who’s a lawyer, at least you won’t be alone when you have to appear in front of a judge. Kelly's pick: Luckily I haven't had to "use" him too many times but if I ever had to appear in front of a judge for doing something like breaking into a deli to steal a meat slicer because who DOESN'T want one of those, I know I'd call Mark H. for help!

10. The Travel Buddy
There are those who like to stay in the same place and find solace in their homes. And there are others who need to get out and explore the world. If you’ve caught the travel bug, find a friend who has it too. It’s way more fun (and much safer) when you share adventures with someone else. Kelly's pick: From beatboxing, game playing, laughing and therapy sessions on frequent road trips to Wendover to discovering our Fight-or-Flight tendancies while spinning out and crashing into a center guardrail on the way to San Francisco, I'd have to choose my best two road trip buddies to be Jay E. and Cousin. I'm just not sure I can say the destinations are better than the trips!