It is quite surreal experience, but I got money in the mail today. Not a check, not a gift card, but actual cash. And it's not my birthday. I won't detail the reasons overmuch, but I am participating in a survey voluntarily, and this was sent to me as a token of appreciation, for my time. It was a teeny amount, enough for a plain tea at Starbucks, not a chai. And yet, since it was unexpected (and surreal) I am quite thrilled.