It seems to me that different martial arts have different ideas about what are useful shapes of support and movement, depending upon the range of techniques involved.

The traditional "punching arts" (karate, boxing, tae kwon do, wing chun kung fu, for example) are mostly linear. The object is to move forward or sideways as quickly as possible in a straight line, or to punch as quickly and powerfully as possible.

The throwing arts (aikido, for example) emphasize circular movements, possibly because they are fluid and work well to direct force to an object so that it will gather momentum.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu that is part of Mixed Martial Arts, however, is big on triangles. Why? Because they are interested in helping the practitioner maintain a stable position...often on top of an opponent doing his/her best to roll or throw them off. A triangular "base" combines the best of stability with the ability to move quickly in a direction that best enables you to turn the tables on your opponent.

It's been snowing here since about 1 P.M. (It may still be snowing, but I can't tell from where I'm sitting, and don't feel like going outside to make sure.) There were lots of flakes and slush, and since that kind of snow sticks to the trees first, Malvern and environs have a very picturesque postcard look right now.

On the other hand, it's supposed to go down to 26 degrees F tonight. Maybe bad time shoveling tomorrow.

On the gripping hand (and fans of Larry Niven sometimes say), the temperature is supposed to rise to 40 degrees F tomorrow! Maybe no shoveling, if it stays that high for long enough.