about the injuries. i wouldnt agree with you so much. i now what you mean with some people, but i wouldnt have the balls to call someone out. i had my knee kicked in playing soccer and for two years it fucking hurt to jump, it didnt look like it to anyone else. it wouldnt give out and make me eat shit on the landing, but one or two cases and it would hurt like a bitch, hell even just landing smooth all day would make it hurt like a bitch. i wouldnt want to try anything new because if i didnt land completely square on something it would be fucked for a week. this spring is the first time i could jump knowing that landing wasn't going to hurt. worst thing was, before that, i was somewhat decent. when you can't even do you stock tricks anymore you feel like a poser yourself and you sometimes feel like letting people know your an old and injured and you normally dont blow ass.
old injuries that are worth something mess with your head, even when they are healed. i kind of know what you mean though, if someone claims and then goes back to their injury excuse its not cool.
ps. while your gash is quite horrific looking. a cut is nothing compared to a joint problem. it does not play mental games with you. no one is afraid to bleed, but most people are afraid to completely fuck their knee and never be able to do sports again.