Lately, it’s become a game of mine to watch how other people are interacting with one another at restaurants. All too often, I see a group of people sitting at a table, feverishly thumbing away at their smart phones and completely ignoring those around them. It seems that everyone would rather be talking to someone else rather than the person sitting right in front of them.

I once had an argument with my husband while we were out to dinner because he was playing on his iPhone while I was sitting there doing nothing. I confronted him, saying it was rude and that he should actually be talking with me rather than playing on his phone. But I must confess, I’ve done it to him and other friends, and my friends have done it to me. I once sat with a  group of friends and laughed silently as I watched my three other companions all typing away at their phones. At times when I’ve seen this, I’ve even pulled mine out, quipping, “I suppose I should just join in!” when I’ve felt left out.

This type of behavior has become commonplace, particularly among my generation, the 30-somethings and my younger sister’s teen generation. It’s simply just not seen as rude to whip out your phone and answer a text while simultaneously checking your Facebook, Twitter and chatting with your lunch date.

Although we may not think of it this way at the time, the signal we are giving off to our companion is that everything else is more important than that person at that moment. Or else you are giving the impression that the person you are with is somehow less entertaining than the people who aren’t there. And it shouldn’t be that way. If you are out physically spending time with someone, there’s no reason to be digitally entertaining someone else.

Certainly, if it’s just a quick reply, a genuine emergency, or something work-related, it’s harmless to answer a text or e-mail. But if it’s simply a matter of holding a digital conversation with someone else when your mind should be devoted to the person you are with, it’s just plain rude.

I am 100 percent guilty of being out to lunch with someone and spending a ridiculous amount of time with them texting, checking my Facebook or Twitter. And when I really analyze that, I’m ashamed of myself.

Usually, when I hear my text message alert chime or hear the ding of a waiting e-mail from my iPhone, I’ll assess the situation. Is the person I’m with also checking his or her phone? Am I expecting an answer to a question I need? Is the person texting me someone who I know will need my immediate attention (to which I might argue that he or she should just call me… rarely is there an immediate answer needed for a text, or you wouldn’t text).

But realistically, I know I should not be basing whether I answer a text on if the other person is doing it. After all, that’s only continuing the behavior. I know I need to be the example and do what I think is the polite thing to do.

I’m going to try to keep these things in mind this week when I’m out with people.

The speedometer in the Toyota Tacoma on June 18.

On June 19, I went with some coworkers to happy hour at Elements Martini Bar and Kitchen. Elements is a very good restaurant. I've only gotten the small plates, but I tried a bite of my friend's entree, and it was equally as good as the appetizers.

My friend Anne just got a new tattoo. It's a fractal, which means she can add to it for the rest of her life. Amie and Jane were over (in the background). We all made some yummy Thai curry and papaya salad. Amie also made some Thai iced coffee on June 20.

A pretty flower at Town Square on June 21. I haven't taken a photo of a flower in a while.

Part of my wine collection on June 22.

Andrew grins at Master Singers rehearsal on April 28. I'm not sure how many Andrew photos I have left until September. At least, not on Tuesdays. Our final concert of the season is May 16. We're singing Beethoven's Ninth with the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Robert gives a thumbs up in Yogel's Frozen Yogurt on April 29. David, when you're here again, I think we should go. It's a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt place. It's my favorite of the four I've been to in town.

Overlooking a bar/lounge in Red Rock Resort on April 30. I loved all of the lighting fixtures in this hotel. I took a whole bunch. I had a hard time deciding, but ultimately decided on this one because it had people in it.

The wind picks up a model's veil at the fashion show at the Eco-Friendly Bridal Show held May 1 at the Springs Preserve. I got a lot of great photos there, and I'd like to return to take some more of the scenery. I went to the bridal show with my friend Kerri, who is getting married in September 2010. I hooked up her and her fiance.

UNLV's Doc Rando hall houses a breath-taking, ceiling-height pipe organ. The Las Vegas Master Singers Chamber Chorale sang a concert in that hall on May 2, using the organ, of course. The only thing I don't understand is why they placed the keyboard (or whatever the word is for organs) facing away from the audience. Not only is the organist's back to the audience, but it's especially difficult when the organist is accompanying a choir. They have to set up a mirror to see the conductor.

I almost burned my eyes taking this photo. The sun shines behind palm branches at Town Square on May 3. I went shopping with my mom and sister, and it was very hard not to buy anything. Robert and I are trying to save money for our trip to San Francisco in a couple weeks.

Facebook on May 4. OK, I admit, I waited until the last minute to take this photo.

My weekly photo of Andrew. Andrew looks at my iPhone before choir rehearsal on May 5. About half of my photos of Andrew, he is looking at something technology related.

I think these are orchids. I forget. I took this photo on May 6 at choir rehearsal at Christ the King. Father Bill doesn't allow fake flowers in the sanctuary, so although these are perfect looking blossoms, they are, in fact, real.

The "Asian section" of my library on May 7. I have my library grouped by genre. It's a mixture of books and figurines.

Tomorrow, I have tickets to see UNLV’s production of “The Music Man.” I really enjoy that show. It’s the only show I’ve actually seen on Broadway, and I think I appreciate it more now than I did back then when I saw it. Mariane is one of the roles I would really like to play one day.

I’m actually pretty excited about summer coming this year, even though that means hot, almost unbearable weather. I think every year, I forget just how hot it gets here.

I didn’t expect this to be an easy undertaking, but it definitely is difficult to think of a unique photo every day. I’ve got a couple ideas on the back burner that I plan to fall back on when I’m really strapped for ideas.

The hard days are the ones where I work all day, then come straight home, or where I am busy right after work. I think it will be a bit easier to take photos later in the year when it’s not dark when I leave work.

Andrew cheats on his new Mac with his teeny PC laptop... Really teeny. Feb. 10.

Part of my DVD collection. Feb. 11.

Flowers I spotted while walking Pepper in my neighborhood. I can't wait until spring, when all of the flowers will awaken. Feb. 12.

This weekend, Robert and I decided our Christmas presents to each other and  way we were going to spend some of our extra hard-earned savings was to get iPhones. We’ve only had them for two days, but so far, they are absolutely awesome.

Some things that I can do that now I feel I can’t live without:

• Check Associated Press and New York Times news stories constantly.

• Check the weather and the complete weather forecast for the week.
• Take photos that are just as good as the kind you can get from any other point-and-shoot.
• Check my e-mail ANYWHERE.
• GPS. Awesome.

Other things that are cool that I can live without, but I’m going to think I can’t live without in a few weeks:

• I can hold up my iPhone to a song I hear on the radio, and it will identify the song and artist for me. And, I can immediately purchase it from iTunes.
• I can follow text message conversations like an IM conversation… I can see the conversation from start to finish.
• I can listen to Pandora radio in my car, while walking my dog, anywhere.
• I can check Facebook more often. That’s probably not good.
• I could be out somewhere and be looking for, say, a pharmacy nearby, and I can find one.

I think the biggest challenge is going to be not letting the phone distract me. I’ve been very good about not checking personal e-mail at work or any of those social networking programs. I have to keep it that way even though it will be so much easier.