# Greetings...... **URL:** \ **Category:** Introductions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2016, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/greetings/37965 "2016-07-13T12:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Optimusgene](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@Optimusgene](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Optimusgene)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/greetings/37965/1 "2016-07-13T12:52:16Z")
Greetings everyone. My name is Eugene Stephens. I’ve been a long time lurker but this is my first post. I’ve loved the movies, Real Ghostbusters cartoon and toys since I was a kid. In fact when I was a kid I built a [proton pack](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack) out of plywood and random junk in my grandfather’s workshop. I’ve always been overweight my entire life but when my wife and I welcomed our twin boys into the world 4 years ago, I finally got off my butt and did something about it. I’m still not where I want to be but losing 100 lbs is still something right? Anyway, the idea of cosplaying a Ghostbuster popped into my head awhile back but I never acted on it because I didn’t want to be “a fat guy in a Ghostbusters costume,” I just wanted to be a Ghostbuster. So I lost the weight and built my first proton pack last fall using ParaNorman’s plans. When my boys saw “daddy’s backpack” they wondered what it was and when I was making one for them. I introduced them to [The Real Ghostbusters](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/games/the-real-ghostbusters-activison) and built them each a kids sized pack loosely based on the ones in the cartoon. I’m a hobbyist and have started learning about foam smithing from other cosplayers online so I built the boys packs out of it and have just completed a second full sized pack out of the foam for my SIL. In fact we are going to a premier of the new movie this Friday at one of our local theaters! The reason I’m posting now is because while I was making the boys packs I documented the steps and put together a 40+ page How To guide on how to build one. Before I posted it here I thought I should say “Hi” first. I’ve learned a lot from the people in this forum and wanted to give back to the community. When I’m not learning and imagining new techniques to build ghost busting equipment, I have a website where we do a weekly podcast on geek culture [calledEpicallyGeeky.com](http://calledEpicallyGeeky.com). Stop by and give it a listen or look for it on iTunes and Stitcher (Epically Geeky Show). Anyway, now that I’ve broken my silence I hope to be a contributing member of the group. I’m supposed to meet up with the ATX Ghostbusters at the end of the month and may end up joining them; even though I live an hour away. ---
**Author:** ![fritz](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/fritz/32/10773_2.png) [@fritz](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/fritz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/greetings/37965/2 "2016-07-13T14:13:47Z")
![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/2X/a/a6a9d55944582ed6d4f9a1645abdcd1f114240f0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![GhostdogDutchobrien](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/d07c76/32.png) [@GhostdogDutchobrien](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/GhostdogDutchobrien)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/greetings/37965/3 "2016-07-13T15:37:35Z")
Hi Wecome :love: