Clown suit and a big red nose...
I'm 20 yrs into my current job at the same place. When I first started I would done it for free. 10 yrs later I would have done it for about half what I was paid
From about 10 yrs to now there have been many times I found myself bitching and moaning about one thing or another, switched shifts, mandatory overtime, ridiculous rules etc etc. I usually catch myself and think back to when I was first trying to get this job. The process was a pain, several long drives from my home in another state to here to take various tests as part of the hiring process over a 6 month period. 2000 people applying for 80 positions.. Eventually it came down to the last step. A panel of 6 people who grilled me for what seemed like days but was only 21/2 hours with every possible scenario you could think of. At one point, after asking me things like "We change shifts every 28 days, is that a problem with you?" "We often have to work well past our shifts due to last minute issues and sometimes you don't get off for 15 hrs is that a problem?" I finally said "Look, if you told me part of this job was to dress up in a clown suit with a big red nose and work traffic control in the busiest intersection in the City every now and then, I'd just want to know if the outfit was supplied or do I have to buy it myself"
That's how much it meant at the time and once in awhile I have to remind myself that I am fortunate to have such a job. You just have to find your own clown suit and big red nose I guess.