I live in Austin, the slacker-center of the universe, where owning a pair of flip-flops is practically mandatory. Don't kid yourself, however, these are not a hot fashion item. On rare occasions, an especially stylish young person can pull off wearing flops during the summer, but more often than not, they just make you look like a college student (or like you don't have a job).

That said, they're certainly comfortable, and might just save your life.

At least, that's the story according to Marie Drackert, a woman who was watching TV when a lightning bolt came down her chimney, out her fireplace, and zapped the ever-living crap out of her. The impact was so forceful that it shook the floor, and the electrical charge ruined the woman's washer, dryer, television, telephone, stereo, microwave, oven, toaster, coffee pot and air-conditioning unit.

Marie, on the other hand, is still alive -- all thanks to the rubber in her flip-flops that grounded her. Granted, she's been having heart palpitations and vision problems ever since the strike, but she was spared death by her favorite pair of comfortable footwear.