kindle paperwhite password

so…

it would seem that the kindle password generation tool doesn't seem to work on paperwhites 5.3.+.

and i discovered this, of course, after i set (in usbnet)
dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

(granted, i did "try" my "generated password" in terminal, not realizing any one would work prior to that toggle.)

so,

what do i have to do to get
back?

so i can then try the auth key route.
(which i'm not entirely clear on, being on os x.)
(ultimately, i'm trying to be able to sftp in via transmit whenever i like.)

been searching the forums here a bunch.

am i hosed?

thanks in advance, friendly people—
torchy