The Left Lane
What does your handwriting say

Ever wonder what your handwriting says about your character? Or, would you like to play detective and figure out what handwriting says about a stranger or your boss, lover or child?

Ruthie Chong says she's trained to help unravel the mystery. Chong, certified since 1979 by the International Graphoanalysis Society, has written a booklet, "Handwriting Analysis: 101 Fun Facts With Stories," about the science of her work ($6, available at local book stores). Now she's offering classes to reveal the hidden secrets of handwriting. "I teach them to identify the strokes in the handwriting that reveal how people think," she said.

Her introductory course, held on two Saturday mornings, is $95. The next classes will be 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 and 26 and again Feb. 16 and 23.

For information or to register, e-mail write.ruthie@aloha.net or call 739-5155.

Keeps on ticking

Timex has ticked long enough and loud enough to be the most recognizable name in fashion, according to a survey conducted by Women's Wear Daily. The most recognized brands in the WWD 100 survey are those that are as American as apple pie and that have been around for decades, like Timex, Levi's and Hanes," WWD editor-in-chief Edward Nardoza said in a statement.

The fashion-industry trade paper, with NPD Fashionworld, asked 1,468 women to pick the most well-known names in designers, denim, sportswear, outerwear, activewear, swimwear, innerwear, legwear, accessories, watches and jewelry, and dresses, suits and eveningwear. Overall, the top 10 brands were: Timex, L'eggs, Fruit of the Loom, Hanes Her Way, Seiko, Playtex, Levi's, Victoria's Secret, Rolex and Hanes.

Beautiful mistakes

Even smart women make beauty mistakes. Fitness magazine's January issue lists 50 beauty don'ts that many of us still do. Among the warnings:

• Don't wrap your hair turban-style after bathing. Hair is at its weakest when wet, and winding it in a towel causes tangles that make it harder to comb, easier to break.
• Don't wear your ponytail in the same spot. This weakens the hair in a single area. High-tail it one day and go low the next.
• Don't spray fragrance on your wrists. If you wear a watch or bracelet, the scent will mingle with the aroma of your watchband or jewelry. Make your neck the pulse point.
• Don't be a skin-care junkie. Trying new products too quickly means nothing gets a chance to work. Skin cells need at least two months to respond to a new product.