a response...

well, we finally got a response from dreamhost. not much info, but at least they are "on the case"

This is *****, one of the support managers. Let me apologize for the
delay in getting back to you on this. You know your case is being looked
into. I'll get back to you (call) as soon as we figure out why your
server crashed in the first place, and why it just went down again. I'm
also investigating the lack of response from our end, which is as you put
it unacceptable.

Thanks,
*****