I got my "ow" 4/07 and finished my "dm" 10/07, I’m about to start my my instructor course. Since dm, I’ve gotten my deep, wreck, night & nitrox. Will have my manatee and whale shark specialties very shortly. I’m not the card collecting type, but I want the experience so I can talk honestly to students when they ask questions. I also will get a new "distinctive" specialty from PADI, which was authored by one of my instructors...FOSSIL AND ARTIFACT RECOVERY.
I agree with gypsy, go for quality and not quantity.