Music:
Depeche Mode is first; and eveything from Yanni and Enya to Nitzer Ebb, with a little George Strait, Allison Kraus, Old 80's KROQ bands; Flock of Seagulls, U2, The Cure, Spandau Ballet, New Order, ABC, to newer groups, Linkin Park, Coldplay etc. Of course you can never go wrong with Jazz, Swing, and Blues. Very eclectic. . .
Movies:
Here I go with the 80's, but John Hughes films Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink (I was the Duckman), throw in a little Donny Darko, any Disney Film, and Office Space.
Television:
My Name is Earl!!! House, Las Vegas, John Ratzenberg Made in America, Dirty Jobs, Anything Discovery Channel, I love the 80's (of course).
Books:
I am all over the place with this one so any poetry, childrens and adolescent literature, any book is important as long as it was written with passion.
Heroes:
Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Langston Hughes, John Hench, Ward Kimball, My family (Dad, Mom, Brothers, Sister), My wife, any of my friends have proven time and time that they are heroes at least in my book.