The Psycho-Techno-live'o dilema

Combining

1. Perfectionism rooted in the deepest darkest corners of my mind
   
2. Contradictory fascination+optimism and deception+pessimism about technology in general and software engineering in particular
   
3. Real life constraints of money, time and feelings (a recently reinterpreted ingredient)

is a direct path to a painful and confused existence ...
but what's the alternative!!?