Mondays… figures. Just as soon we’re “T.G.I.F.” it seems Monday is here again. Working a half day on Friday can really make a difference – you’re done with the week and start the weekend early enough it feels like you get a whole day back. But that’s Friday… we’re talkin’ Monday here.

I’m starting to grow weary of my profession – there’s no way to truly measure results for writing code or redesigning an application’s UI. Two years ago I came from a job where I was basically the senior web developer and systems architect to one where I’m (what feels like, at least) a maintenance programmer making near half-again more than I used to. But the joy’s gone out of it; I’ve known developer power and freedom and I want them back.

At the same time, however, writing code all day just seems like an endeavor that will never have any tangible consequences in the real world. Unlike fixing a car as a mechanic or crafting a bench as a carpenter, we’re unlikely to get any lasting appreciation for what we enable business to do. I’m thankful I have a job in this sullen economy, but I’m starting to feel like I’m stuck in a race condition with the code – trying to debug, refactor, and redesign 6+ years of lax code standards, no design patterns, and “quick-and-dirty” implementation requirements feels like never ending drudgery.

It could be insanity, but maybe a career change is in order; to a field with real-life results you can feel – physically, emotionally. I love the problem-solving challenges creating a well-designed system presents. Maybe being a mechanic or carpenter has the same benefits…