I was rich beyond my wildest dreams but it soon got spent
We ran a NOC in Docklands comprising multiple telephone platforms, exchanges, and such like. We had a big client base at the time routing calls and competing with BT. Good old least cost routing and all that. We'd heard the rumours about pay levels and decided to hold out. Initial offers weren't great. But as it started to get closer the offers improved. We knew we were going to support it - we just wanted to cash in.
So one evening in November we stayed behind late unofficially and put the clocks forward. Everything worked fine and back the clocks went. The holding out continued.
From recollection we were paid treble time New Years Eve, quadruple time New Years day, and a fixed rate bonus to attend. Sixteen of us turned up around 7pm New Year's Eve and worked through to around 4am New Year's day.
The site was rented and had site security. Lots of firework displays were advertised so said security guys escorted us up onto the roof. Twelve stories high with commanding views. We drank champagne whilst watching the fireworks. Couldn't see the Tower Bridge ones due to too much smoke. But the ones at The Millennium dome and the others at Greenwich more than made up for it.
I took loads of photos on my disc camera (15 shots if I remember) then promptly lost it. I still remember the smoke though.
How time flies. Not been up on any roof since. Way too much paperwork these days to do that. Probably wouldn't be allowed due to risk of being hit by fireworks these days. The goggles worn for conker fights would surely be compatible?