Nice one Machka - always nice to hear that kind of report. Hope that hip feels better soon.
I can't BELIEVE I used to ride around without one. I had a fall recently where I cracked my cheekbone pretty good, and while helmets are a little less protective at this angle I'm sure it helped... it probably would have been more in the temple area if I had been sans protection.
One of my big objections years ago was how hot helmets were, but that has changed in my perception.