I read the headline and realized it was not quite accurate. While true, I am unemployed, the reality is I paid my dues and am now happily retired.

What prompted the headline, however, is an application I recently sent in to be considered for a Hallmark Movie Dream Job. It was billed as a straightforward gig. Watch 24 Hallmark Christmas movies in 12 days (a cakewalk for any true devotee) and critique the lineup sans spoilers.

CenturyLinkQuote, which is an authorized online CenturyLink reseller, said the “perfect candidate” will be at least 18 years old and love, Love, LOVE Christmas. You also have to be active on social media and be willing to share your movie marathon with your followers.

I could do that, I thought. I love Hallmark movies — especially Christmas movies. And … it had a bonus of a $1,000 stipend. It also included a streaming service subscription, a packet of hot cocoa (a must-have to create an appropriate Hallmark Christmas movie atmosphere), a box of Christmas cookies (duh), a string of fairy lights (again, duh), a mini Christmas tree (obvious), and “more Hallmark swag than you could ever need.”

My hopes were dashed last week when I received the following nor from CenturyLinkQuote, “Thanks for applying to the Hallmark Dream Job! At this time we have chosen to move forward with a different candidate.”

The rejection won’t deter me from watching Hallmark this Christmas season. I’ll still do my share of binge watching — or more appropriately alternate binge watching and binge dozing. After all, even when you give the eyes a rest, you pretty much know where the story line is going. In all my years of watch n snore, only once was I completely lost after the snore.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. — Charles Swindoll