Thanks so much for the nice comment!
Yes, current Orca category boundaries are not what they once were. I think the fish categories were originally was marked by HP values but have since changed to VEST values I believe. No matter, we're both on the course to Orca-hood and we'll get there if we stay on the path!
There has been a lot of discussion about the DFH lately. Those funds are unavailable until they are paid out to a project, and then some (most?) of that end up on the market, the sell pressure you mention.
I don't know the answer, and not sure I have much of a say with my current Hive Power. But when I burn a bit of my rewards I feel like I am doing Something, even if the effect is small, as I know it is.