Keeping track of your girlfriend's period in your personal digital assistant: C or D?

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My friend just discovered that her BF has been keeping track of her period in his PDA for the last year or so. I say classic, provided that he does so to bring chocolate chip cookies over in a timely fashion.

― Safety First (pullapartgirl), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:07 (nineteen years ago)

Classic. Seems like a good thing to know.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:09 (nineteen years ago)

You would say that.

― Pleasant Plains /// (dr g), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:09 (nineteen years ago)

my periods are irregular so if someone tried to do this w/ me they'd always be way off.

― Bob Dylan’s harmonica can make it hard for office workers to concentrate. (Jody , Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

depends on which details he's keeping track of

― killy (baby lenin pin), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

more to the point is the keeping track of anything in your PDA

fag

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

I've done this before, information is fucking _invaluable_.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:14 (nineteen years ago)

is a PDA really necessary for this? I mean, is it that difficult to keep track of a few weeks?

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:15 (nineteen years ago)

ive been menstruating for 12 years and i can hardly keep track

― i've dreamt of rubies! (Mandee), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

TMI

― i've dreamt of rubies! (Mandee), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

i would be afraid to do this. why, i don't know. my gf kept a list of everyone she'd had sex with in her dayplanner.

― pleased to mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:17 (nineteen years ago)

You would say that.

― oooOoOoOOoOoOOoOoOooo (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:21 (nineteen years ago)

Jenny, did he give his reasons??

― Jordan (Jordan), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:34 (nineteen years ago)

I think the point of doing that is to know when to pay your monthly visit to the secret mistress for a week of stealthficking

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:50 (nineteen years ago)

no, the point is clearly to be able to discount irrational/insane behavior as simply PMS. or at least being able to discern between PMS-influenced bullshit and normal bullshit.

― electro-acoustic lycanthrope (orion), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:12 (nineteen years ago)

haha cheers ian

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:15 (nineteen years ago)

Right thats it, I'm acting PMS crazy ALL LIVE, ALL THE TIME from now on if thats how you guys think - fuck yers!

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:32 (nineteen years ago)

you mean you don't already?

― electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:33 (nineteen years ago)

what events led to the discovery?

― kephm (kephm), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:43 (nineteen years ago)

PMS is itself bullshit.

― ed slanders (edslanders), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:45 (nineteen years ago)

right

― jergins (jergins), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:49 (nineteen years ago)

Jim, you bastard ;P

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 23:50 (nineteen years ago)

well, it's bullshit that you have no control over your actions, but those hormones can def. make you feel like a driver without power steering.

― Kim (Kim), Thursday, 11 May 2006 01:15 (nineteen years ago)

I don't get PMS, I really am a cranky bitch all the time.

― This cunted circus never ends... (papa november), Thursday, 11 May 2006 01:19 (nineteen years ago)

really? you make nice pics, though.

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Thursday, 11 May 2006 02:35 (nineteen years ago)

They are an escape from my crappy life :)

― This cunted circus never ends... (papa november), Thursday, 11 May 2006 02:59 (nineteen years ago)

i use moon phases, works even if the power's out.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 05:08 (nineteen years ago)

HOT SYNC

― JW (ex machina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 06:07 (nineteen years ago)

depends on which details he's keeping track of

Just start date, I think.

Jenny, did he give his reasons??

If he gave reasons to my friend, she did not give them to me.

what events led to the discovery?

She was looking over his shoulder as he searched through his PDA for something and noticed "BPD" (BP standing in for her initials) and asked what it meant, and he told her.

― Safety First (pullapartgirl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 09:21 (nineteen years ago)

This seems quite a reasonable and thoughtful thing to do, if you're an organised type of person.

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 09:39 (nineteen years ago)

"Borderline Personality Disorder"

quite fitting really

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:03 (nineteen years ago)

Urgh, creepy. What does the D stand for though?

― indolent girl (indolent girl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:20 (nineteen years ago)

dumpy? dreadful? difficult?

― indolent girl (indolent girl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:22 (nineteen years ago)

DANGER

― steal compass, drive north, disappear (tissp), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:26 (nineteen years ago)

I've done this too (though only in my mind, not in a calendar), though I have to admit one of the reasons was to know when sex might not be okay. Surely I'm not the only one to do think like that?

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:29 (nineteen years ago)

I find I can keep track pretty easily without having to write that stuff down. Get closer to your partners, people!

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:34 (nineteen years ago)

Well, yeah, once you've been in a relationship for a while, it shouldn't be a problem to ask, "When's your next period?". So the digital assistant thing is kinda weird, to me at least.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:36 (nineteen years ago)

Urgh, creepy. What does the D stand for though?

Sorry, it was early (still is, actually) - I meant BPP. Initials plus P for "period."

― Safety First (pullapartgirl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:36 (nineteen years ago)

S'OK to make a mental note, or ask. Just seems a bit wierd to keep records like that.

― indolent girl (indolent girl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:37 (nineteen years ago)

Yes, P for "period" makes more sense. Though it could also stand for "pamper". Aw.

― indolent girl (indolent girl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:41 (nineteen years ago)

I used to keep a mental note a couple of years ago, when I began to notice that the monthly bad cramp day always seemed to land on a sunday or a wednesday - my 2 weekly days off work. I didn't write it down though, just kept count of the number of months it went on for. I think it was up to something like 15 months in a row when we were lying in bed one evening, and she said "have you ever noticed that my cramps always come on when you're off work" and I said, "yes I had, actually" and we never really mentioned it again. Pretty curious, though, I think?

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:50 (nineteen years ago)

I couldn't imagine writing it in a diary or a pda, though. That seems to be taking things a bit far to me.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:51 (nineteen years ago)

Indeed. An A2-sized chart pinned to the back of the bedroom door would more than suffice.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:57 (nineteen years ago)

Ha ha ha (cough)

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:58 (nineteen years ago)

Or why not get your gf's cycle tattooed onto your forehead as a sign of your love/handy portable memo?

― indolent girl (indolent girl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:00 (nineteen years ago)

I kept track of my old boss's periods for about six months, and then used an excel spreadsheet to extrapolate her start date for the next four years (she was very regular). Then I drew a little frowny face in red pen on the office calendar on the day she was set to snap at everyone in the office, accuse us all of strange things (everything from stealing her lunch to trying to kill her plants), cry, and then go home with a migraine. When I quit, I presented the calendar with all due solemnty to my replacement, who was very grateful.

No one I've ever dated has had to keep track of my periods since I tend to announce it.

― Safety First (pullapartgirl), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:00 (nineteen years ago)

Oh I thought D stood for 'due'.

Anyway, *I* can't even keep that stuff in my head so using a calendar or diary seems perfectly natural. Especially if you're trying to plan stuff ahead and you have a 28 day cycle - I'm going to count in my head to work out if I'll be on my period during a holiday six months away?

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:03 (nineteen years ago)

I guess the weirdest part was not telling his girlfriend she was doing that.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:08 (nineteen years ago)

"he was doing that"

Damm you foreigners and your gender-sensitive pronouns!

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:10 (nineteen years ago)

I still don't think this is weird at all! (Maybe if it was a very new relationship, but not otherwise.)

It's also two heads instead of one when it comes to noticing accidental (or planned) pregnancy, lest we forget.

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 11:16 (nineteen years ago)

http://michelemiller.blogs.com/marketing_to_women/files/tampax-dance06.mov

― scrimhaw1837 (son_of_scrimshaw), Thursday, 11 May 2006 13:38 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.smugglersite.com/04/directors/comm/happy_dance.html

― scrimhaw1837 (son_of_scrimshaw), Thursday, 11 May 2006 13:39 (nineteen years ago)

I knew a guy who put a little dot on the kitchen calendar on the day that his wife's cycle was going to start. When she saw it she said, sarcastically, "why not tell everyone then?"

He put little foil star stickers on it and wrote "M"S PERIOD" instead.

Seriously, it depends on the motive. To have a head's up for anticipating her discomfort/future scuba holiday planning? No problem. To know which days he should be on his best behavior? Some guys need all the help they can get. To be able to blame her "irrational behavior" on her cycle? Dud, and probably dumpable.

― patita (patita), Thursday, 11 May 2006 18:47 (nineteen years ago)

In fact, all the women I've dated for any significant time have marked calendars themselves. And after you figure it out the first time, those X's on the calendar in the kitchen have a pretty clear meaning.

― pleased to mitya (mitya), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:14 (nineteen years ago)

There are women who mark their calendars for periods?????

― Allyzay Rofflesbot (allyzay), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:30 (nineteen years ago)

I know a few who keep track (for health reasons, in case of pregnancy scares, etc.).

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:33 (nineteen years ago)

I have a general idea of when her period is coming and I usually find out specifically in the course of normal life. She'll tell me she's PMSing at work or how she strangled someone to death on the bus home with her bare hands, or if it's winter with a scarf, usually the theirs, and I deduce therefrom that the British are embarking. Is it that big of a deal?

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:36 (nineteen years ago)

xpost

Wow. When I said "all" I meant it. I really thought all women did this.

― pleased to mitya (mitya), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:37 (nineteen years ago)

Nope.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:39 (nineteen years ago)

Mmm, no.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

I keep it in my daytimer! (Even though the signs are pretty clear (why i need eat all potato chips/poutine then chocolate??)). I have a very bad concept of time though. I mean, abstract concept, abstract. I'm ALWAYS like, it's been a month already?! that makes no sense.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:47 (nineteen years ago)

I've never met a woman who DID do that. I've heard of some women doing it, who are trying to conceive. They also take the temperatures of their vaginas, supposedly! But other than that I'd never heard of such a thing. I mean after having it for a really long time you'd imagine most people would have a general idea of when to expect it. Plus birth control pills makes such a thing pointless, if you are on them.

xpost I too have a bad concept of time, fwiw, but I always know it's about the last week of the month, give or take a few days, so it doesn't occur to me to TRACK such a thing.

That being said to answer the thread question, if I found out my bf was doing that I'd think he was seriously deranged.

― Allyzay Rofflesbot (allyzay), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:48 (nineteen years ago)

I just follow the physical/hormonal cues like cramping during ovulation and my mood swings etc. The pill nixes all of that but then you can tell by your dosage, anyway.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:53 (nineteen years ago)

i like the comfort of systems. and lists. and daytimers. i can remember a lot of things but i write them down anyway. (yeah, i never ever wrote the period due date down when on the pill!) I'm not sure how i feel about the PDA tracking by boyfriend. It would depend on the boyfriend.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Thursday, 11 May 2006 19:54 (nineteen years ago)

Were I subject to PMS, I'd think it a little unkind, or lacking in gallantry for my bf to try to calculate my period. Just pay attention to the ordinary cues, and you'll find out easily enough. Also, why would anybody be that concerned/alarmed by what is mostly just a natural part of his gf's life? If she's inordinately bitchy, let her know that she/you needs time alone. If she's moody and needy, give her fuckin' break, like you're always perfect. It's a little anal to care so much, methinks.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 11 May 2006 20:14 (nineteen years ago)

I always know because I get a gigantic zit.

I have never done that stupid calendar marking thing. I think I thought about doing it when I got the "my first period!" booklet in 5th grade.

― i've dreamt of rubies! (Mandee), Thursday, 11 May 2006 20:52 (nineteen years ago)

pix plz

― JW (ex machina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 20:53 (nineteen years ago)

of my acne? check gmail jon

― i've dreamt of rubies! (Mandee), Thursday, 11 May 2006 21:38 (nineteen years ago)

NONE YET

― JW (ex machina), Thursday, 11 May 2006 22:05 (nineteen years ago)

I like keeping track.

― tokyo nursery school: afternoon session (rosemary), Friday, 12 May 2006 00:53 (nineteen years ago)

http://trials.pocketgear.com/product_images/6/6556/ovuscreen0.JPG

mmm, OvuCal

― killy (baby lenin pin), Friday, 12 May 2006 01:09 (nineteen years ago)

I guess I do keep track of my period, because I use a nuva ring and I'm always afraid I'll forget to take it out. I use the little stickers that come with the rings.

― Safety First (pullapartgirl), Friday, 12 May 2006 01:51 (nineteen years ago)

ok, i guess i'm just surprised that so many people use calendars.

― killy (baby lenin pin), Friday, 12 May 2006 01:52 (nineteen years ago)

IN GENERAL.

― killy (baby lenin pin), Friday, 12 May 2006 01:52 (nineteen years ago)

killy you have a treo? haa

― cutty (mcutt), Friday, 12 May 2006 01:53 (nineteen years ago)

I guess the bigger question is whether these PDAs have good export capabilities so that we can all manage our girlfriends' period data in a massive eCollaboration portal. Content management! Web services! RSS! Periodcasting! VoIP!

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Friday, 12 May 2006 02:25 (nineteen years ago)

killy, you are pubescvent?1/?@ haa

― JW (ex machina), Friday, 12 May 2006 03:01 (nineteen years ago)

i would so use ovucal.
i can't believe this doesn't appeal to Laurel's sense of Information. biology is awesome.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Friday, 12 May 2006 04:01 (nineteen years ago)

You guys need an RSS feed.

― JW (ex machina), Friday, 12 May 2006 04:08 (nineteen years ago)

see the "ilx commisions a poem" thread.

no link suckers

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Saturday, 13 May 2006 02:19 (nineteen years ago)

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