You know what? The dissertation is not as intimidating to me as the qualifying exams. Five picky professors reading and judging two 10 page exams you have to write in a weekend. Yuck. When does that ever really happen in real life anyway?? I think it's one of those things you build up to. 100 page masters thesis, three years of writing multiple 30 page papers a semester, suddenly the dissertation seems totally do-able.
Anyway, thanks! I spend all of my time around other PhD peeps that it's nice every once in awhile to be reminded that it's hard and worth respecting.
I have no doubt you would make a great prof if you choose to- it's never too late to get that degree. And, if it makes you feel better, on the bad days, I've often pondered quitting and getting a job as an admissions officer or academic advisor at a university. Or, I suppose, teaching at a community college, which I could do with my masters.