Staring at a blank computer screen for a few hours helped me realize a few things.

Beside the fact that reading a column is a lot easier than writing one, I came to the sad reality that I lack a strong opinion on any matter going on in this world.

I would love to say it’s because I’m just too cool to care, but I don’t think I’ve reached that level of coolness yet (my friends can attest to that). Sadly, I just don’t know enough about any one situation.

Of course, I know that New York was attacked back in September, and recently, people have been finding anthrax in the mail. But beyond that, I don’t know much about the two stories monopolizing our nation’s media attention.

The point of all this is to admit that I have a problem. If you’re still reading, it is unlikely that you share in my misfortune.

The problem I’m talking about is my self-diagnosed acute case of Attention Deficit Disorder. Sadly, this problem can’t be cured with Junior Mints (I checked). In short, I can’t seem to pay attention to anyone or anything for more than a few minutes. Don’t let the name of my disorder fool you, it is in no way cute, in fact it has had a huge effect on my grades.

To illustrate my problem I will show you all a typical conversation between my mom and I.

Me: Hi mom.

Mom: Hi son.

Me: I’m home for the weekend.

Mom: I see that, how are your grades?

Me: Ooh, it’s raining outside (as I run to the window).

The thing is, I really try to pay attention in class, but I just can’t do it.

So what’s causing me to so easily lose interest in everyday situations?

Because I don’t have time to find a scapegoat, I conveniently will point the finger of blame at television. Though I rarely watch more than two hours of television a day, I have realized there are entirely too many channels with too many unrealistic shows and topics.

Television has given me an unrealistic sense that everything in life is exciting, and in the process it has made my life seem boring.

As anyone whose ever seen “Boston Public” can attest to, school seems really fun on TV. The teachers are interesting, and some of them are cute.

I’m not necessarily saying I need cute teachers, but maybe professors should do their part to make class more exciting by mimicking teachers on TV. Since students talk and dress the way people on TV do, then I think teachers should try and teach the same way. That’s definitely not asking too much.

Now I don’t want any of my professors to get the wrong idea and go out to buy the shortest skirt and highest heels Wal-Mart carries, but we all would appreciate it if they loosened up a little and taught class like they enjoyed their jobs.

I really try to pay attention in class, but 20 minutes into lectures my professors begin to sound like Charlie Brown’s teachers. All the while, I’m thinking what my beloved San Francisco 49ers could have done had Roger Craig not fumbled with two minutes remaining in the 1991 NFC championship.

Not to say all professors are to blame, because we’ve all had those teachers who make coming to class a blast. And for any professors who are unsure about where they stand, I have made a test.

Simply go around to every desk after class is over and count the desks with dried- up drool on them. Any number over three indicates that too many students are falling asleep in your class.

That sort of takes care of why I can’t pay attention in class, but why do I find it difficult to pay attention to my friends?

Maybe it’s because … ooh, the stars just came out, I have to go.