Static’s second issue, First Times in Toronto, is out October 20th. So to celebrate, over the month, you’ll get to know the contributors of the issue through some of their first times in Toronto.

Jessica Keefer is a dress-wearing, jenga-playing, roller derby-skating, picture-painting, ukulele-strumming, bicycle-rider based out of Oshawa, making her debut in issue 2 in the form of an illustration. You can check out her art and musings at good morning dear. She is currently studying to become a graphic designer, and has high hopes for the creative future.

First time I felt like Toronto was home was when I laid in the grass eating strawberries with a good friend while I watched a game of hacky-sack and listened to some chap play Oasis tunes on his guitar.

First job was: McDonalds. I always told myself, if Daniel Johnston could work there, so could I! I also work at a chocolate café called Isabella’s.

First house was: My best friend’s apartment in Toronto. We spent the first night eating bread and kraft cheese slices on the ledge of her bathtub because we had no furniture.

First favourite neighborhood was: Kensington Avenue. There are so many great finds to be found! I am the ultimate bargain hunter.  Sometimes Toronto is the best city to be broke in.

First concert was: I saw Matt Costa at the Phoenix and his t-shirt said “I hate it here.”

First bar/club I went to was: Tattoo Rock Parlour was the venue for my 19th birthday. Benji Madden from Good Charlotte (my preteen heartthrob) was the DJ.

First outdoor concert was: I still find confetti in and around my house from time to time because of The Flaming Lips.

First record store was: Criminal Records. In my hometown it was, and still is, Star Records in downtown Oshawa.

First in-store was: Lou Barlow from Dinosaur Jr. played at Criminal Records. He forgot all the words to all his songs.

First favorite book: Does Harry Potter count? Ha!

First library: I like all the libraries. I can’t recall a first.

First celebrity sighting was: There are too many bearded celebrities in Toronto! I can never tell. I walked by John O’Regan (Diamond Rings) once. Home town lovin’.

First kiss was: The romantic pigeon-infested Bay St. Bus Terminal.

First heartbreak was: cured by the History of Rebellion at the Toronto Underground Cinema.

First New Year’s was: I always wind up working on New Years because I have the memory of a fish and forget to book the time off.

First Valentine’s Day was: I spent it listening to Celine Dion’s ‘All By Myself.’ Ladies.

First time I stayed up all night: Oh dear. Too many nights!

First time I went to the islands was: I got my worst sunburn ever in the history of bad sunburns. But I saw Beach House, Timber Timbre, Broken Social Scene, and better yet, Pavement!

First trip out of Toronto was: Montreal. The architecture there is incredible.

First time I got lost was Nuit Blanche three years ago. A handsome British man convinced me there was an exhibit just past the dumpsters in the alleyway.. I lived to tell the tale.

If I had a last day in Toronto, I would not want to have a last day in Toronto. Oh Toronto you’re perfect please don’t change a thing!