there is some PR update going on, with this is typically a SERPs and backlink update which makes things get jumbled up a bit. This is called 'Google Dance', and things will square up in the next couple days sometimes a few weeks. Check back on the rankings in a few days and you will see things settle a little
Blogs, articles and directories. Nothing toxic as far as I know. I just submitted a request for reconsideration and basically told them that I have done everything by the book to the best of my ability. I do have one Alexa widget that I have hidden (because it looks so ugly) and I told them that. I also told them that I hired someone to write some articles and blogs for me because my writing skills suck (the truth). So hopefully a human being at the other end reads it and makes things right again.
I seriously doubt this is the reason as the majority of websites are on shared servers and Google certainly has to take that into account.
my site pr stable, not down, though few site pr increase, to maintain and increase pr need to get quality links