Meet Paul Algu

Age: 24
Occupation: Environmental Professional
Website: spessialist.blogspot.com
Twitter: @paulalgu12

Your theme song: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. This song is full of energy and all kinds of get up and go, which meshes perfectly with my personality. I heard it first at a Seattle Sounders FC match, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Favorite blog and why: Envision Green by Kayla Talkington. I met Kayla through my professional organization, and she’s a serious environmental professional with great ideas! Plus, the blog layout is gorgeous.

Best place to meet up with friends: I love going to Perkins Rowe, especially for Kona Grill’s happy hour. Their patio may be one of my favorites things in the city, especially when you have time on a beautiful day to stop and take in the scenery.

Clothing/accessory you can’t do without: Crazy Socks. I have lots of socks that are just crazy looking. They’re all kinds of colors, patterns, and designs. All of them support charitable causes, and I’m always happy to answer questions about them. It’s my way of standing out and helping others at the same time.

Who inspires you the most: My mentor Nathan Woods (aka Bionik Brown) showed me that I had the zeal and capability to serve, especially in education outreach and with kids, and he is one of the primary reasons I am who I am in character, humility, faith, and integrity today. He really helped to foster and cultivate my talents as a person and professional.

The best dish you can cook yourself: I can make an almost perfect and exponentially healthier replica of Red Lobster’s cheddar biscuits.

Coffee order: Medium roast. One cream, one sugar. Anything past that is dessert.

Ice cream flavor: Bubble gum. I guess I ordered it so many times as a kid, it just stuck.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met? I once gave Bobby Hebert a tour of the World War II Museum in New Orleans when I worked as a volunteer there.

Ideal lunch date: Roberto’s River Road Restaurant. A little out of the way in St. Gabriel, but the atmosphere and food always make for a great time.

Best meal from the past week: Brisket and ribs from Pimanyoli’s. Why this place isn’t packed from open to close is a mystery to me.

What is always in your fridge: A bottle of hot sauce from The Fish House in Pensacola. That stuff goes good on anything.

Favorite fictional character: Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) in The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. The Little Prince is a message for grownups disguised as a children’s book. The Little Prince always reminds me to have perspective in everything I do and never to take myself too seriously, especially when looking at hats and elephants!

Accomplishment you are most proud of: The countless hours spent after Hurricane Katrina doing anything and everything to serve my hometown and state and help us get back up on our feet.

Baton Rouge needs: A primary and secondary education system that is second to none in the world. Without it, we are building a future on an atrophying foundation that is sure to fail us when we need it the most.