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It’s that time of year when I’m simultaneously looking back and looking ahead. I kind of love dead week, “a time when nothing counts, and when nothing is quite real.” It gives me time to tally up my miles-ridden and books read. Most importantly, this gives me some perspective and reminds me to check in with myself to see what I learned, where I grew, and how much work I still need to do.

Here are 5 things I was looking at and loving this week:

The Pixies and the Breeders hold a special place in my heart. So high school Melissa was thrilled to hear Kim Deal Is Ready to Go Solo. It Just Took 4 Decades. Now, 40-something Melissa has been listening to her new album on repeat. I’m also a big fan of the album cover, by Alex Da Corte, with its nod to both intrepid explorer/conceptual artist Bas Jan Ader and (IMO) the Florida Keys.

I always enjoy Tom Whitwell’s 52 Things I Learned. Here’s the 2024 edition.

Important read: Why I keep taking photos the world ignores by Finbarr O'Reilly.

Important viewing: the NYT’s Year in Photos. It’s nice to see so many friends represented, with such powerful and important work. Also, check out Staring at America. Taryn Simon “followed the political vapor trail to document the people, spaces, and objects central to the 2024 presidential campaigns” away from the news cycle. It’s a fascinating anthropological study of the year — in 17 photos.

Aperture’s Must Read Photography Features of 2024 are worth digging into.