i went to buy a new bike helmet today. they say that after your helmet's been in a crash, you should replace it, even if it doesn't look damaged.

i didn't even think to look at the helmet until the periodontist brought it up. all the doctors asked, were you wearing a helmet? where did it happen? but Dr. Baker also asked, was your helmet all scratched up? and i honestly didn't know. i mean, sure, it hadn't been ripped to shreds, but in the three and a half weeks since the accident, i hadn't even looked at my helmet. i had other things on my mind, i guess.

actually, i hadn't even ridden my bike at all the whole time. i finally did, on tuesday. biking seems like such a dangerous proposition now. going down that path in the middle of golden gate park is still fun. but now i try to keep my eyes on the road and my hands on the handlebar.

as a matter of fact, the helmet was a bit scratched up in the front. not horribly, at least not for a helmet. of course, if the same thing happened to my forehead, i'd have more than scratches to worry about. i imagine all the horrible things that _could_ have happened to me: concussion, broken nose... and i'm glad i was wearing gloves, and long sleeves, and long pants, because that just meant fewer abrasions.

but still, i miss my front teeth. technically, they're mostly still there, but most people don't really care what's under the gum line, anyway. the first thing that went through my mind when i looked at the damage in the mirror was, "oh no, what if i'm ugly forever? then nobody will like me!" because, you see, swollen lips will unswell, but broken teeth don't grow back (unless you're a shark).

well, thanks to modern technology, they can at least attach some fake replacement teeth. but apparently the periodontist is wildly popular, and it'll be two or three months before i'm fully deuglified.