thumbnail issue is not related.  that is just when a server "barfs".  It happens periodically for still unknown reasons.  It is fixed now as I rebooted our 4 front end servers. 

In future let me know which server you are on by going to any non-forum area (and not our homepage), scroll to bottom of page and note if you are on rcu1,2,3,4 or 5 server

thanks