The first day of spring

Official or not - how I know it's now spring:

• I had to close my eyes as the bus whooshed to a stop to avoid the sand kicking up off the curb. I guess I'll take sand over ice, snow, pothole grime, mud, or puddles. Thanks to Snowmaggedon and Snowmaggedon Part 2, we have enough sand out there to have a little curbside beach.
• The seagulls are out in the Midway Marketplace parking lots again. Can anyone explain this phenomenon? My theory is that they migrate to the great Sea of Parking. Or they like french fries.
  
• Nobody even questioned me wearing rain boots. It never did rain today, so...you're welcome.

Also, a random update on Paver Watch 2011:

Yep. Your guess is as good as mine!