Academic
A good way to discover your passion is to walk through a library and notice the sections you pass through quickly and the ones where you spend time. Invariably, I am pulled to the sections on learning theory, history, and poetry. My own personal library reflects these interests: I have many books on Japanese and Chinese language learning, sociology, history, poetry, and a growing number on computers.
Art & Literature
Though I admire painters such as Botticelli, Caspar David Friedrich, and Klee, I believe there are equally skilled masters from other cultures. In particular, I wish the works of Daoji, Jamini Roy, and Kamal al-Din Bihzad were better known. Favorite writers include Bruce Boston, Nobutsuna, and Wisława Szymborska.
Computers
In 1986 I started out on a NEC "Bungou Mini-5" Japanese word processor. Five years later I upgraded to a Macintosh LCII, and in 1996 I briefly switched to Windows, then returned to Apple when System X came out. I make it a point to learn a few new programs each year.
Musical
Most of the time I listed classical masters such as Bach, Biber, Dowland, Vitali, Purcell, Schütz, and Hebden.
Modern favorites include John Adams, Glass, Pärt, Hovhaness, and Britten.
Traditional Indian and Japanese music also enchants me. Of the so-called "new age" artists, I am attracted by so-called "new age" Constance Demby, Enya, and Stomu Yamashta.
Culinary
I maintain a near-vegetarian diet with lots of fiber and vegetables. However, from time to time I also love pizza, Mexican tacos, vegetable curry with dahl, Thai fried noodles, and apple pie. My favorite dish is iso-oroshi soba.
Sports & Social
Hobbies include tai chi, yoga, hiking, and bicycling.