I used to study the effects of uncertainty on drug delivery models for school (I don't think that I want to do this anymore). In my spare time, I enjoy listening to, playing, and recording music (wish that I did 2 & 3 better/more). Combo organs are cool, as are hollowbody guitars. Hooray for the 4-track. Scooters are fun to wrench on too. One day my Lambretta will be road-worthy and then the streets of Reno will not be safe from my 2 stroke fury.
William Shatner, Robert "Evel" Knievel, Bob Moog (RIP), and The San Diego Chicken (or: 2 Bobs, a Bill, and a Bird)... and Booker T. Jones (the MG's would be a bonus, but not required)
Anything with maracas, horns, handclaps, or "La-la-las" and the like. Feedback is good, as is a catchy melody. Three cheers for anything twee, new wave, 60's garage/ska/soul, drone/psych, the Elephant 6 and related psych pop, jazz circa 1949-1966...frankly, I'll listen to most anything so long as it's got a great hook. Favorites include (but are not limited to): Robyn Hitchcock, Yo La Tengo, Spacemen 3, JAMC, Neutral Milk Hotel, Beulah, Galaxie 500, Belle & Sebastian, OMD, Stan Getz, Stereolab... really, this can go on for a while, and what would be the point of that?
Rushmore, Big Lebowski, Ghostbusters, Big Trouble in Little China, Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, Elvis movies...fun and quirky is the name of the game.
I don't read too much for pleasure anymore. Mostly it all ends up being school related. I enjoy non-fiction mostly, though. Travel essays and guides are always good.