Sometimes I get so frustrated with whatever I'm working on, that I start thinking about how nice it would be to quit programming and become a farmer or a builder.

Soon after that, I solve a little personal problem by coding the solution, or I discover a cool new tool, or I fix a little bug in an application I use, even if it's written in a language I'm not familiar with.

At which point, I remember that I'm never going to quit programming because it's so damn useful. And it can be fun too, if you work on the right things. Even if I go on to be a farmer, I'll still solve the odd problem by programming the solution. And I'll always have an appreciation of simplicity, bestowed upon me through endless nights of working against stupid, complicated technology.