The kids were watching Batman and Robin again when Darin came home from work. “Daddy! Daddy! Did you know Batman is now the President of our country?”

I guess something got lost in the translation there. “No, kids, it’s Mr. Freeze, and he’s our Governor. Not Batman. I’m sure we’d all prefer George Clooney to be President. But that hasn’t happened. Yet.” (Okay, I didn’t really say that last part.)

I swear, it’s like living in the comic strip “Baby Blues” around here. (Is that the funniest strip in the world or what? Okay, maybe you have to be a parent of young kids to truly appreciate it…)

(And how hard did Joel Schumacher work to make George Clooney almost completely charisma-free in this movie? I saw that this is still bobbing-head Clooney, before someone told him “Stop moving your head when you talk!” It truly was distracting.)

While watching Batman and Robin (which really is terrible, although I remain fixed in my belief it’s not particularly worse than any other Batman sequel), I froze the picture on Mr. Freeze.

“That man is now the Governor of our state.”

Both kids: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.”

They both have finally tuned senses of the absurd.

It’s been an exhausting week, and it’s not over yet. So forthwith, to catch up:

• It’s not the 30th yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m not going to make Nano this year. I’ve been doing a Playwriting class at the same time, plus went on vacation, plus… Anyhow, it’s just not happening. I even figured out whodunnit and everything. Oh well. If I ever need the plot for another book, at least I have one worked out. I’m a little bummed, because I like to finish projects I start when I plan to finish them, but I’ll live.

• I went to Target the day after Thanksgiving because I needed to get a whole bunch of stuff and wanted to stop one place. I was prepared for Day After Thanksgiving hysteria. Instead, I parked near the door and walked right up to a checker when it was time to leave. Methinks the economy is in some real trouble if that was at all indicative of post-holiday sales. And according to the Cunning Realist, it just might be.

• Everyone who hears her read is impressed with Sophia’s reading skills. I don’t know why I’m telling you that, other than to brag (about someone else’s accomplishments).

• Darin wanted a Nintendo Wii (for Zelda) but he wasn’t willing to spend the night in a Target parking lot* in order to be one of the first in line. So the next morning he kept checking Craigslist until he saw the offer he wanted: a Wii, with Zelda, for a reasonable mark-up. (He kept asking me whether he should do it or not. I said, “If it’s up to me, NO. I would wait until they’re just available in stores. But if you want one today, FINE.” So he got the cash and went down to the Costco parking lot, where the exchange was made. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, other than to see if you think “doing deals in a Costco parking lot” is as funny as I do.

• I really like mai tais. This is apropos of absolutely nothing.

• Anybody know of good apartment rentals-by-the-week in Manhattan?

* Yeah, I know. Target mentioned twice in one entry. Go figure.