I remember getting stoked that I was going to be able to turn my two graphics cards to point at STEEM and help new users get accounts and make some extra STEEM in the process.

This sounds like 'proof of work', the accounts are being claimed by those with stake (mostly delegated with regards to the bid-bots).

I'm sure your curation rewards will do better now you have your stake back!

Good luck to all facing mother nature this week - she's getting more and more pissed by the season.