Yes, this is an observation we have noticed that occurs from time to time.
Its not a server related problem, the issue lies with the overture suggestions tool. When grabbing content from overture, if their suggestions tool is busy there is a noticeable slowing of loading speed.
This is something we are working on and we are coding the site right now to load the overture suggestions into the DB (on first load) and script it so that it updates these from time to time. We find the overture suggestions column a handy and unique feature and one which we dont really want to drop unless absolutely essential.
The honest answer is, the slow load rate only occurs very infrequently and 90% of the time its fine
