My scalp is covered in a fine paste of dried, dead skin cells. If I scratch it, the paste builds up under my fingernails. It reminds me of the plaque the accumulates on my teeth and I must rudely dislodge it with vigorous motions from my dental floss. I think I now have a peculiarly high amount of scalp paste due to my current head condition which has kept me from wetting my hair most days. I have a 1.5 inch gash in the back of my head, held tenuously together by five tiny metal staples. I'm not exactly sure how tiny they are, as I've never seen them with my eyes, only with my fingers. I first pictured them in my mind's eye as they were thrust into me by Dr. Bill at the Swedish Hospital ER. I imagined them to be rough like construction staples. I felt them penetrate my skin and wrap into themselves. But now that I've fondled them around somewhat, my opinion is that they are smaller, rounded and smooth, perhaps half a centimeter in length.

Update: all better now.