Good news, everybody, I am, in fact, still alive!
Sorry for the long delay, but I can explain!
When last I published a chapter, I made it pretty clear that this next part would contain Pinkie's Ponyville-wide welcoming party.
I figure that this will be the last such fiesta until the one in Canterlot, which is quite a ways away.
Sitting back, I thought 'Well, my birthday's coming up... might as well have the party out for that!'