Emily Takes Notes
@embaleez.bsky.social
I am a writer and artist in Houston, TX. I attend Houston City Council and take notes, available on www.emilytakesnotes.com + my IG www.instagram.com/embaleez. I write periodically via substack at https://emilyjhynds.substack.com/.
"government response to homelessness is genuinely diabolical." — me, a person who must read and digest news about government response to homelessness on a weekly basis, at least.
am i an expert? no. do I have empathy and opinions? yes.
am i an expert? no. do I have empathy and opinions? yes.
November 13, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"government response to homelessness is genuinely diabolical." — me, a person who must read and digest news about government response to homelessness on a weekly basis, at least.
am i an expert? no. do I have empathy and opinions? yes.
am i an expert? no. do I have empathy and opinions? yes.
Here are my notes for the Houston city council meeting this week. Highlight for me was Mayor Whitmire saying HPD definitely is not ticketing homeless people even though they definitely are doing that.
Also CM Plummer cursed and cried. We were on a rollercoaster.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/11/07/1...
Also CM Plummer cursed and cried. We were on a rollercoaster.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/11/07/1...
Notes on the Houston City Council Meeting on November 2025
Notes on the Houston City Council meeting on Nov 5, 2025, including financial reports, apartment inspection reform, and housing debate
emilytakesnotes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Here are my notes for the Houston city council meeting this week. Highlight for me was Mayor Whitmire saying HPD definitely is not ticketing homeless people even though they definitely are doing that.
Also CM Plummer cursed and cried. We were on a rollercoaster.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/11/07/1...
Also CM Plummer cursed and cried. We were on a rollercoaster.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/11/07/1...
Mayor Whitmire on airport delays: "let me just thank the airport system for dealing with unbearable conditions due to TSA employees not coming to work" - that's a funny way to avoid saying federal government shutdown
November 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Mayor Whitmire on airport delays: "let me just thank the airport system for dealing with unbearable conditions due to TSA employees not coming to work" - that's a funny way to avoid saying federal government shutdown
Joe upon discovering he accidentally left his starter out for four days: "It's not covered in mold, so that's good."
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Joe upon discovering he accidentally left his starter out for four days: "It's not covered in mold, so that's good."
Here are my notes for this week. My favorite part was CM Pollard calling out ICE.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/30/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/30/1...
Houston City Council Meeting notes for October 29, 2025
notes on the Houston City Council meeting on October 29, 2025, including discussion on an upcoming homeless resource center
emilytakesnotes.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Here are my notes for this week. My favorite part was CM Pollard calling out ICE.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/30/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/30/1...
my notes for this week are ready - my favorite part was when CM Thomas called out license plate camera's for having crappy (zero) data.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/23/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/23/1...
emilytakesnotes.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
my notes for this week are ready - my favorite part was when CM Thomas called out license plate camera's for having crappy (zero) data.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/23/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/23/1...
I'd like the opportunity to vote for a woman candidate who isn't wearing a full face of makeup. Can we get one of those? Look I know it doesn't really affect policy but also ... it kinda does??
October 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I'd like the opportunity to vote for a woman candidate who isn't wearing a full face of makeup. Can we get one of those? Look I know it doesn't really affect policy but also ... it kinda does??
my notes for this week are ready! much discussion on the tax rate (they didn't raise it), polk st closure, rainbow crosswalk, and Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia's case.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/19/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/19/1...
Houston City Council Meeting notes for October 15, 2025
notes on the Houston City Council meeting on October 15, 2025, including talk on the rainbow crosswalk, polk street closure, and tax rate
emilytakesnotes.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
my notes for this week are ready! much discussion on the tax rate (they didn't raise it), polk st closure, rainbow crosswalk, and Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia's case.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/19/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/19/1...
Reposted by Emily Takes Notes
Remember, we're hiring!
Are you interested in covering politics in the Lone Star State? The Texas Observer is hiring an intern to help us cover the 2026 elections! Apply here:
Work for the Texas Observer
We’re a nonprofit with a strong public service mission; we seek to expose injustice and to produce the kind of impact journalism that makes a difference.
www.texasobserver.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Remember, we're hiring!
Reposted by Emily Takes Notes
Pronouncing “discount” like “viscount” until someone poisons my food
October 8, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Pronouncing “discount” like “viscount” until someone poisons my food
whoops kinda forgot about bsky there for a minute but here are my notes for this week ... highlights are some riveting (actually riveting, I promise) discussion on tax rates and at least one sassy Whitmire clapback.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/09/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/09/1...
Houston City Council Meeting Notes: tax rate and other general spending
notes on the Houston City Council meeting on October 8, 2025, including tax rate increase discussions
emilytakesnotes.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
whoops kinda forgot about bsky there for a minute but here are my notes for this week ... highlights are some riveting (actually riveting, I promise) discussion on tax rates and at least one sassy Whitmire clapback.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/09/1...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/10/09/1...
my notes for this week are ready. read all about how they're making it even more illegal to be a pedestrian in Houston.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/08/28/8...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/08/28/8...
notes on the Houston City Council Meeting: spending decisions and pedestrian safety
notes on the Houston City Council meeting on August 27, 2025, including spending decisions, public safety, and protecting pedestrians
emilytakesnotes.com
August 29, 2025 at 1:19 AM
my notes for this week are ready. read all about how they're making it even more illegal to be a pedestrian in Houston.
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/08/28/8...
emilytakesnotes.com/2025/08/28/8...
Just because instagram tells you that you could add audio to your post doesn't mean you have to, or that you should. Whatever happened to people instinctively gut-reactively wanting to say NO ⚔️ whenever authority told them to do something??? Let's bring that back.
August 29, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Just because instagram tells you that you could add audio to your post doesn't mean you have to, or that you should. Whatever happened to people instinctively gut-reactively wanting to say NO ⚔️ whenever authority told them to do something??? Let's bring that back.
I was promised rain (by the thunder rolling through a few minutes ago) but it did not rain. With what department do I file my complaint?
August 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I was promised rain (by the thunder rolling through a few minutes ago) but it did not rain. With what department do I file my complaint?
My notes are ready. Highlights include Mayor Whitmire being Solid Waste Director Hassan's #1 hype man. Also it was a blessedly short meeting, for which I am thankful.
emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com/2025/08/21/8...
emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com/2025/08/21/8...
Houston City Council Meeting notes: August 20, 2025
notes on the August 20, 2025 Houston City Council meeting, including a solid waste update, general spending, and council member remarks
emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
My notes are ready. Highlights include Mayor Whitmire being Solid Waste Director Hassan's #1 hype man. Also it was a blessedly short meeting, for which I am thankful.
emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com/2025/08/21/8...
emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com/2025/08/21/8...
"human resources" has become a really abstract phrase but it's very bizarre when you really think about it. and so far reaching. and yet what do human resources departments do? very baffling.
August 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
"human resources" has become a really abstract phrase but it's very bizarre when you really think about it. and so far reaching. and yet what do human resources departments do? very baffling.
it's so important to share resources because corporations are the modern day robber barons
August 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
it's so important to share resources because corporations are the modern day robber barons
I, a 41 year old person, have successfully made a new friend in the past year. It's early days, of course, as the friendship goes, but just wanted to let you all know that it *is* possible.
August 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I, a 41 year old person, have successfully made a new friend in the past year. It's early days, of course, as the friendship goes, but just wanted to let you all know that it *is* possible.
my main mode of posture: SSOTC. Shrimp style, on the couch.
August 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
my main mode of posture: SSOTC. Shrimp style, on the couch.
why do I feel unwell?? ah, it is because it is 2pm and I have had nothing to eat but watermelon and chocolate.
July 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
why do I feel unwell?? ah, it is because it is 2pm and I have had nothing to eat but watermelon and chocolate.
One time I called the police because I was getting regularly harassed by a man while walking in my neighborhood. An officer showed up and I invited him into my home. I explained the situation to him and the officer said, and I quote, "Maybe he liked what he saw." I'm never going to forget that.
July 17, 2025 at 10:43 PM
One time I called the police because I was getting regularly harassed by a man while walking in my neighborhood. An officer showed up and I invited him into my home. I explained the situation to him and the officer said, and I quote, "Maybe he liked what he saw." I'm never going to forget that.
adding music tracks onto instagram posts is a scourge
July 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
adding music tracks onto instagram posts is a scourge
Does anyone that follows me on here want to sign up to proofread my notes?? This signup sheet is for July and August. Anyone who does this is an actual, real-life hero. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
bit.ly/etnjulyaugust
bit.ly/etnjulyaugust
Notes Proofreading Sign Up
Every Wednesday, I attend Houston City Council and take notes. Then, I seek volunteers to proofread these notes before I publish them. Could this be you?? Notes are usually ready for proofing by 5pm o...
bit.ly
July 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Does anyone that follows me on here want to sign up to proofread my notes?? This signup sheet is for July and August. Anyone who does this is an actual, real-life hero. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
bit.ly/etnjulyaugust
bit.ly/etnjulyaugust
it is very difficult for me to resist a delectable fruit, thus the betrayal of an unripe plum stings doubly
June 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
it is very difficult for me to resist a delectable fruit, thus the betrayal of an unripe plum stings doubly
I am only happy for autocorrect to do it's thing when I am attempting to spell the word "queue."
June 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I am only happy for autocorrect to do it's thing when I am attempting to spell the word "queue."