In this Quick Hits, Associate Professor of Mathematics Samuel Webster talks baseball cards, sandwiches, Montana, and El’ Cerritos. 

How do you start your day?

I start my day typically with some brain-teasers on my phone. Chess.com has a chess puzzle of the day, and I play a little game called Wordscapes. My son introduced my wife and I to the New York Times “Connection” game. I usually do all of those before I even get out of bed. 

What is your favorite state that you’ve ever visited?

Montana, especially the western edge by Glacier National Park near the Idaho border. It’s just a beautiful area, and you’re away from everything. I enjoy the beauty out there. The eastern half of the state is beautiful as well. In the eastern half of Montana, you just have these rolling hills. As you’re driving and the hours go by, you might not even see a tree because it’s just these rolling fields, and the sky is gorgeous. And then you get to the western half, and that’s where all the mountains are at. 

What is your favorite way to travel?

I prefer the train. I like seeing the country. If there’s any time for long travel and if I can swing it, I’ll take a train. I like seeing things. I’ve always enjoyed car trips and just watching the country go by, and there’s no better way to do it than on the train when you’re not driving. It is more expensive and takes longer than flying, but you’re not doing it for those reasons. So if time and money aren’t a huge concern, it’s a great way to see the country.

What’s your favorite Hillsdale-area restaurant?

Our family loves El’ Cerrito. Our son really loves their chicken quesadilla. That’s his number one go-to food of all time. My wife and I like it, and it’s always good service there – you’re in and out, and you get a lot of food for your money. The waiters and waitresses are great.

Do you have a favorite current TV show?

Currently, I would say no. I’m not a big show or series person. The last one that I watched that I was really into and was anxious for episodes to appear was ‘Better Call Saul.’

Do you collect anything?

Baseball cards. I collected them as a kid a lot and then in the last year or so, I got back into it a little bit. I’m able to now afford cards that I wasn’t able to as a child. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

A lot of people will try it and say “moot point,” and they say “mute point.” That always irked me. I hear too many people saying “mute point,” and it gets me every time.