At its best, the Storke Plaza reflecting pool is filled with sparkling water and seagull feces. At its worst, it is a dry, dismal bed of concrete and seagull feces, drained heartlessly by maintenance crews.

But what, really, is the point of a reflecting pool that doesn’t reflect? With this in mind, and with the onset of the rainy season, it’s time for a piece of weathertradition. Thus begins,

The 2002-2003 Race to Fill the Reflecting Pool

The score, as it stands:

Mother Nature: 2.5 inches

UCSB Administration: Zero

Friday’s forecast: The seagulls are waiting.