Chris,
The "moment of stupid" you had was just a learning experience. I know lots of guys that never wear a helmet. I know lots of guys that always wear a helmet...
I always wear a helmet. It makes my wife happy and I've become used to it.
It's a matter of freedom. Not freedom to be stupid, or freedom to be a statistic, or freedom to be cool.. just freedom. What you learned was that the ride you took presented you with some hazards that a helmet might have prevented. If you only rode from bar to bar or in 5 mile spurts you might ride forever and never encounter face-altering projectiles. If you ride in an area with little traffic and few insects you could ride all day and probably never have an incident - with or without a helmet. You chose to ride lidless and had some unfortunate experiences. You could take the same ride again and nothing would happen.
It's freedom. It's choice.
Ride your ride, make your choices, and do what works for you.
The helmet argument is futile. Once you are on 2 wheels, you are at the mercy of anything and everything. Helmet or no. The right/wrong situation will kill you regardless. Wearing a kevlar body condom won't save you when the semi has you in his sights...
