Favorite little views on the walk to work. Quick ways of getting through the grocery store. Strangers on the bus that you see every day, but have never spoken to. A way to get laundry done after work, and still have time to see a friend. Everyone's everyday life is loaded with beautiful little details.

But we have a bias against them. We never talk about them--which turns these little routines into little secrets. But what's worse is that we often don't let ourselves realize just how wonderful these little daily details really are.

Between January 2008 and February 2011, I ran the Everyday Exchange, which was my way of getting people to notice these daily details again. It consisted of an offer: If you got in touch with me, and told me about one of your daily routines, I would make a present for you based on what you'd told me. And if you wanted to interview me, and make me a present--well, that would be nice, too.

The Exchange started as a website, and an occasional phone call or meeting over coffee--and culminated in a week-long art show at the now-defunct Meme Gallery in Cambridge, which was followed by six long months of making intricate presents for strangers.

While the Exchange was in business, I asked dozens of friends and strangers about how they did their laundry. Or what their commute was like. Or what they did in the morning before they left for work. Every conversation started the same way: the person I was talking to would gloss over large details, and seem embarrassed. They'd trail off, and ask me if I was sure I really wanted to hear about it. Then, suddenly, there would be a magic little second, when they'd start enjoying themselves. They'd speak more enthusiastically. And smile. And provide endless details. They often used the same tone you use when you start describing a toy you loved when you were a kid. After the interview, most people said they'd never told anyone about their routines before.

After the interview, I would make a present. This would take a few days or weeks, depending on how intricate it was. One was a pamphlet about the person's routine, illustrated with pictures taken from Google Images and quotes from Wikipedia. Another was a fake Shakespearean plays about laundromats. There was a recording of an epic poem about someone's car commute; and a board game about a gas station. An audio guide about familiar strangers on a bus. Some posters. And a coloring book. It was all very strange. Strange and educational and fascinating for me.

On the right are a few images of me interviewing people, and delivering presents-- and another few from the art show at Meme Gallery.

I'd like to thank all of the people who participated. It was an interesting experiment.

Click here to see the Cambridge Day article on the show.

(interviewing someone about his routines)

(delivering a present)

(flyer for the art show at Meme)

(a photo of the art show)

(another photo of the art show)