I have noticed this too from time to time. I find it to be more of a Server/Connection/Que overloaded or packet loss type problem than actual downtime. I'm running Cox, 27mpbs on a Motorola DOCSIS 3 Modem. Every time I see it happen, I open a second tab and load a random webpage to verify my connection. But the second webpage has always loaded immediately, when AA has sometimes taken up to 20 secs before it will acknowledge refresh requests.
Personally, I don't think it's anything to worry about, since it's not like your running transactions on this website, or any time sensitive information stuff. But if you'd like, I can try to keep a log of every time I run into it.
Hiccup at 12:02pm today, roughly 10 secs before refresh clicks worked.