Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Petersburg Historic District

It is unuasual for us to be able to say were we are heading to investigate. This evening we will be heading to Petersburg's Folly Castle Historic District, for an investigation of a vacant house built in 1810. We will be working with MoSoghost.net out of Missouri on this case. The house is currently for sale, and the Real Estate Company has requested the investigation. We have received a couple of emails today to inquire about this, as it was broadcast on some radio stations this morning. We certainly hope to have more information about this later this week. Look for an upcoming article in the Richmond Examiner at http://examiner.com/x-21578-Richmond-Psychic--Pararnormal-Examiner.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Camera Adapter

We did receive back today, OUR camera adapter. With this is the camera adapter only. No stabalizer bar, no shoe, no warranty papers or anything like that (in which we paid for). Also noted, that we, the public can purchase this adapter from Amazon for $63.00. So what do you think we spent $115.00 on? Especially when "this person" had such a "powerful discount" on camera equipment that they were extending to us...
Has anyone spoke to Cheyenne lately?

www.CVAPI.com Undergoing Upgrades

CVAPI is fortunate enough to own their own server. Currently that server is being upgraded. This will allow us to expand the website as well as incorporate some new features. We do have several video clips, EVP's and photographs to add to the site as of now. Upgrades to the site should begin later next week.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Upcoming Documentary

Last weekend CVAPI worked with Nicole Sorgini, from George Washington University on an upcoming documentary on "Paranormal Investigators". I believe we all had a great time and enjoyed working with Nicole and her friends. It is a nice change to get the word out on what we do as investigators. Our personal experiences, what we look for and how the equipment operates. More to come on this soon!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

CVAPI Sponsors

CVAPI currently has two sponsors onboard with us. Patriot Auto Exchange out of Hopewell, Virginia and Sideline Cafe out of Chester, Virginia. Patriot Auto Exchange has been gracious enough to help us with new equipment, while Sideline Cafe kicked in a fundraiser for CVAPI.
CVAPI currently has some projects underway, in which one we will announce later next week. We would like to thank our sponsors in helping this team out in order to reach our goals of taking things to another level.
Sponsor information can be found on our website at www.cvapi.com under "Sponsors". If a business is not listed there, than they are NOT affiliated with CVAPI.

Monday, September 7, 2009

CVAPI Clarifications

It has come to the attention of many CVAPI member's that there are some things that need to be clarified. First, we are a team of "paranormal investigators". Notice I said, "paranormal investigators", not psychic detectives. I am the founder of CVAPI and work as a full time psychic, this does not mean that we consist of a team of psychics. Those that do not carry those abilities take great offense to this.
The objective of CVAPI has always been, and always will be, that our clients come first. With that said it means our research comes second. The investigations that you see on our websites are "portions" of our investigations. Evidence collected at a location are given to our clients in their entirety. Our clients have a copy of everything that we have in our case files, a lot of teams do not believe in this. CVAPI does not believe in withholding information. We are very grateful for our clients that have opened their homes and businesses to us, as well as discussing their paranormal concerns. We also do not believe in prejudging people and carry the belief that everyone needs to be heard.
CVAPI does NOT charge for our services. Nor do we advertise that we are a non-profit organization. For those teams that advertise as a "non-profit organization" we "assume" that means that you have a non-profit organization status filled with the IRS, otherwise it is false advertising. CVAPI owns all of our equipment. It has been paid for out of our pockets, through fundraisers and donations.
CVAPI runs by strict structure and protocol. We do not carry any "specialists" in any category. Every member brings something special to this team, as humans, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Every member is cross trained on investigations and research, as well as they have worked hard for a position on this team. Our team consists of skeptics and believers combined.
Working as a full time psychic brings a certain amount of publicity. It has been my decision to include CVAPI in that media circle. So to answer the latest buzz by people....NO we do NOT know anyone in the media that is helping us out. CVAPI is currently working on a couple of projects that cannot be disclosed to the public anytime soon.
There are team members in our chat room every Thursday night at 9:00PM located at www.cvapi.com . They are more than willing to answer your questions on the paranormal and any questions that you may have about CVAPI. The team itself is currently full, but we do encourage that you join our Meetup group at www.meetup.com/paranormalcvapi as we do include interested members from time to time.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

This Weekends Fundraiser

WHAT A BLAST! I think we all questioned what we could accomplish with a large crowd as well as if the location would produce any activity with a large crowd of people.
First we were amazed to learn that they came from Newport News, Williamsburg and Wytheville Virginia. We were all delighted to have Norfolk's Psychic Medium Examiner, Elizabeth, join us with her husband! Also, a pleasant surprise of another bar in attendance with their own personal experiences at their location.
Many captured some great photos. We had one were her camera started taking photographs for her. The K2 meter gave better activity than anytime we had ever been in that location. The restaurant itself provided a wonderful buffet of breakfast pizza, casserole, fresh fruit, with a variety of bagels and cream cheese, along with fresh coffee and orange juice.
We are very anxious to review our audio and video. We thank those that provided us with their email addresses, you will get to see first hand, what we captured there.
We thank all of you for coming and look forward to meeting with you again.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Radio Show Tonight at 8:00PM

Join me tonight on The Craig Eugene Show at themixtalk.com. With us will be the Gettysburg Ghost Hunters and some of their EVP files.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Paranormal Equipment

CVAPI carries an extensive amount of equipment. I am often asked where do we get the equipment. To be honest, it varies. There are many simple items that you can pick up at Walmart or your local hardware store. Other items have to be ordered online.
If you are just getting started, there are several items that you can pick up that will not break the bank. A flashlight is a must. I recommend a battery flashlight as well as an LED. (For some reason we do not have battery drain as often on the LED lights.) A camera, you can now purchase digital camera's for around $75. Any film camera will work as well. If you are on a budget and cannot afford an EMF meter, I would recommend a compass. You can pick these up in any camping section. They will spin the same way a EMF Meter will spike. A voice recorder, either digital or analog. I also recommend shopping the sales on the digital recorders.
For any other items I would recommend shopping online. EBay and Amazon would be a great place to shop as well as some of the online paranormal stores. However, please take the time for price comparisons before jumping into a purchase!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Developing Your Psychic Abilities
Have you had experiences that you cannot explain? Have you ever wondered if you have psychic abilities?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2009902/developing_your_psychic_abilities.html

Monday, July 27, 2009

Join us for an upcoming investigation...

"The Chesterfield Restaurant" that you saw on NBC Channel 12, is offering us an upcoming fundraiser. Sunday Morning August 23rd from 3:00AM to 7:00Am, join us for a hands on investigation.
Tickets are $15 per person and include a breakfast buffet. A portion of the proceeds are going to Chesterfield County's "Tools for School" program, were the team will sponsor a child in need, with a backpack and school supplies for the upcoming school year.
No alcohol will be served! Sodas, tea and coffe will be available.
You will have to have a paid ticket in hand in order to be in the building.
You must have an employee and an investigator to be behind the bar or in the kitchen area.
Bring your camera, and voice recorders, or just bring yourself!

We look forward to seeing you!
Tickets are on sale NOW, at the bar!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Share your stories with us!

We have received emails of your ghost stories and photos that you would like us to look at. Keep them coming! We do enjoy looking at your photos, but please remember we can give you but so much input. I say this because on an investigation we work in a controlled environment. So when you send us your photos send us the details. Who was in the room, if the heating and air was on, etc.
We love hearing your ghost stories! Share them here on our blog, or join our forum, you will find a link at www.cvapi.com I myself live in a very active home. Just when I think we are down to "normal" occurrences, something new will happen. It certainly keeps us on our toes!
Next week, look for an announcement from us on an upcoming fundraiser. This will be a "ghost hunt" open to the public. I can give you a hint that it will be Sunday morning August 23rd, from 3:00AM to 7:00AM, so go ahead and mark your calander!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Welcome Back Herman

We are all very excited to have Herman back with us as he has returned from Iraq! Herman remains our Tech Director and there is a lot that everyone can learn from him. We hope to meet with him soon, as he can give us all a little more thorough education on the programming of the DVR and all of its capabilities. But at least our new members have virtually met him, lol.
Herman I am sure Candace and the kids are glad to have you back! We are glad to see you return home safely!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

NBC Channel 12

When I was first contacted by reporter Matt Butner, of Channel 12, your first thought....media...friend or foe? They have the ability to put you in a positive professional light or the ability to make you look like idiots! It is VERY hard to get across to the public, that what we do, consists of more than running around at night with flashlights. (Even though that is part of it.)
The story aired last night on the news at 11:00PM. The entire team was sitting on pins and needles. The end result...we are more than pleased with the story! Matt did a great job with showing us as professionals! He honored our request of not disclosing the location. Everyone on the team was on camera. All of the employees of the restaurant were on camera. We all LOVED the preview shown yesterday leading up to the story, what a great job they did with that!
If you missed it, you may review the story and video footage at http://www.nbc12.com/global/story.asp?s=10732579 Please take the time to cast your vote at the top of the story on, "Do you believe in ghosts?"

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Michael Jackson's Ghost

With all of the commotion surrounding Michael Jackson's death, it did not take long for someone to come out with they have spotted his ghost on Larry King Live at Neverland Ranch.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1197780/Ghost-Michael-Jackson-caught-camera-pacing-corridors-Neverland.html
I honestly believe it would be hard to say if this is a ghost or not. We were not there to determine if it could be someone walking around in the other room. What do you think?
However, I will say it is a pretty cool video clip!
I hope his family will bury him soon and let him rest in peace.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Psychic Medium

A psychic medium is much different than a psychic. Though most psychics carry some medium skills. A medium is one who strictly communicates with those who have passed. Elizabeth was a client of ours. She has proven her mediumship abilities to the point her story was submitted to the Producers of Discovery. As well as she has assisted CVAPI with other clients. Elizabeth, like myself, is also a freelance writer. Though her haunting was a negative experience for her and her family, she is turning this into a positive experience by writing a book. As an artist, she is also able to illustrate it herself to include what she saw. You may find her story on our website under Podcasts of the Case of the Haunted Bed.
Recently Elizabeth has landed a freelance job at the Examiner. Please subscribe and show your support! You will find her at http://www.examiner.com/x-13297-Norfolk-Psychic-Communication-Examiner

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

EVP's (Electronic Voice Phenomenon)

EVP's fall into one of 3 classes. A Class A means that they are audible and easily understood. A Class B means they are audible and difficult to understand. And a Class C means that they are audible, and generally have to be "cleaned up", in order to understand.
Class A EVP's seem to come few and far in between. Even though we do have some nice Class A's posted on our website. When you enter the category of Class B and Class C, it is based entirely on speculation, as different people will hear different things.
When reviewing EVP's it is highly recommended that you use either headphones or ear buds. I was told this several times before trying this and was amazed at the difference it makes.
I also recommend the program Audacity. This is a FREE download, and you will find sites that sell it! When using Audacity, PLEASE do not rely, on the "flat line" on recordings. I have had several recordings appear on that flat line. It will give you a good visual of when to turn your volume down for review.
Audacity also gives you the features for EVP "clean up", as in amplifying the sound or noise reduction. We do try to keep the original file in tact as well.
I have found that some have an uncanny ear when it comes to hearing these recordings. As well as some can't hear them at all.
It is very possible to capture an EVP on an analog (cassette) recorder, as we have done so in the past. Of course, the digital recorders are preferred due to their sensitivity. If you don't have a recorder at all, I would recommend your cell phone. We have also found that this works very well. Various cell phones will have varying recording quality. So far, we have found the blackberry to be the best.
Find the record feature on your cell phone. Record, and then save the file. Then email that file to your computer. Once on your computer you may review the file in Audacity.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

CVAPI Matching the Deaf with the Paranormal

Recently we were approached by the deaf community wanting to participate in paranormal investigations. "Lily" is a member of my Meetup group Central Virginia Psychic Development and Paranormal Research, and she is deaf. We recently had the opportunity to work with her on an investigation.
Lily had her interpreter with her that evening, but we feel that she would be okay even without one. I believe that we all fail to realize that the deaf have heightened senses in areas that we do not. Her interest are in video and photography. She was able to pick up things on photography that we were unable to because she felt a vibration in that area.
In complete darkness, she can communicate her need to speak with us with a flash light or a laser light. (I recommend the laser, as they shoot further than a flash light) If need be, she can write to us in what she is experiencing.
The paranormal for most of us, is a hobby. Her interest in the paranormal is no different than ours. She is limited in some of the research when it comes to the audio. Other than that, I cannot see that her handicap should hold her back from investigations.
Lily has bought to my attention, that she has over 100 people nationwide that are interested in paranormal investigations. CVAPI has agreed to assist her in a campaign of matching the deaf with paranormal teams.
I am asking that if you have a Meetup group, or a paranormal team, that you please take in a deaf person in your area as a guest or a member on an investigation. We are hoping to make a match with all of those in the deaf community that have a paranormal interest.
If you are interested in participating in this campaign, please contact me with your teams name and location.

Monday, June 22, 2009

CVAPI Welcomes Ryan to the Team

Ryan has been a guest of CVAPI for several weeks now. He has participated in two investigations, evidence review on several occassions, and has been through a training session. He has a strong backing in occult sciences that we certainly can use. Ryan is originally from North Carolina and has been in Virginia for less than a year now.
We look forward to having him as a team member and hope that we are part of his new beginning that he has been seeking.

In other news, we have an announcement later this week that paranormal teams across the country may participate!

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Ovilus

This past weekend, CVAPI had the opportunity to conduct an investigation with Patrick Burns from Haunting Evidence and Shannon, and her husband Jeff from Ghost Hunters International, in Northern Virginia.
Patrick had The Ovilus, and this is the first time this team has worked with one of these. I much prefer this over the Franks Box! For one, there is no radio static. It only announces clear concise words that are stored on that device.
As with any paranormal device, there are questions concerning it's accuracy. However, we could not help but notice, that some of the words fit perfectly as to the location that we were in.
After several minutes had passed and we all forgot the Ovilus was even in the room. It announced a couple of words, in which, were most fitting of the questions we had just asked.
If any of you have worked with the Ovilus, we would like to hear from you. This is a new peice of equipment that we are considering adding.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Skeptics and Believers

Our team is made of both skeptics and believers. It takes both sides and both sets of opinions to conduct an investigation. The same as I don't let an investigator investigate alone. We pair off into groups. I like having two sets of eyes, and two sets of ears, for two sets of opinions and experiences.
I HATE the word "debunk". To me it tells someone that we do not believe them and we are there to prove them wrong. When entering an investigation we try to duplicate any experience that we, or the homeowner may have.
I find that most skeptics are the ones that have never had a paranormal experience. I even have skeptics that have had a paranormal experience as they are described as "hard to believe".
The majority of the investigation requests that we receive from homeowners, start with, "I am not crazy". They are educated, have careers, and are the average American family.
The Believers seem to be the ones that have had a paranormal experience. Particularly those that have seen a ghost in full form. Or, they have had several unexplainable experiences in their lifetime.
My experiences over the years, and working as a professional psychic, I guess you would say makes me a believer in the other side and the paranormal. HOWEVER, that does not mean that all reports of the paranormal are actually paranormal. Some instances can be explained.
For me as a psychic, I consider myself a "tool". Just an extra gadget to go along with our various equipment of cameras and meters.
So what are you? Skeptic or a believer?

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Unexplained Camera Flash

I have opened up this topic a couple of times on our forum, with still no response. What is the unexplained camera flash?
During several investigations we have witnessed an "unexplained camera flash". Simply stated it appears that someone has taken your picture. However there is no one there with a camera! Several of my investigators have now had this experience. Luckily we have actually caught this on video a couple of times so we know we have not completely lost our minds!
Over the course of the last year, I have now seen this in my home twice. I have contacted many, many paranormal teams and no one can account for ever having this experience.
Is it possible that this is some sort of communication? Your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Monday, June 8, 2009

The Beginning of CVAPI...

CVAPI is actually a spinoff of my Meetup Group called Central Virginia Psychic Development and Paranormal Research. Some refer to it as my "core" group. My Meetup group had only been in place for 3 months, when I started receiving requests for investigations. Of the two that requested investigations, I referred them to another local paranormal team. The first that contacted the team, said that team never responded to her. The second that contacted that team, said that they had "belittled" her and spoke to her as if she were nuts.

This prompted me to start my own paranormal team, to help those that needed help. This group strongly believe that "everyone needs to be heard", and I find it disheartening in how they were treated. In May of 2008, on a public investigation with my Meetup group, I announced that a team would be formed.

Those that were seriously interested contacted me right away. Three of those people are still with me today. Two solid weeks of work started at that point. From deciding upon our name, contacting my attorney for the legalities, a website, the paperwork, and the forming of our bylaws. The finality came with Herman creating our logo.

A year ago today, June 8th, was the day we meet as a team and established the bylaws and the signing of our paperwork. The accomplishments in the last year have amazed me. Bylaws were added to and amended as we progressed in investigations. New ideas continue to come to light. We had investigators that did not work out, and still we moved forward. By the end of the year, we had completed several investigations, we have been in local and national papers, we have been on local tv, our clients are delighted with our findings and would have us back. We have also accomplished purchasing a new surveillance system, in which, several months ago, we did not believe we would reach that goal.

Today, as it has been one year, I can honestly say that I am 100% satisfied with this team. Members work well together. The hours are long, the drives are long, the evidence review is a long process. For this we are paid nothing. We enjoy what we do, wrap up one investigation and move forward to the next.

The plan for this year, is to continue to move forward and keeping this group in a positive light within the community. We have welcomed Cory aboard as a new member and have a couple of guests that are hanging out with us. I would also like to thank Heidi for our cake (pictured at the bottom of the blog). It was really great to get together not only as a team but as friends. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Spirits and our Hand Held Radios

It has amazed me in regards to how many experiences we have had with our hand held radios. (Walkie talkies) Our first experience we received a lot of "radio interference" in which we chalked up to it being one set of radios.
Our next experience was with a different set of radios. Most impressive is on another occasion, 5 of us set in the room and placed the radio on the table. This was also where we had returned to the location that we had a lot of interference on the radios. We were all amazed as "something" pushed the call button on that radio.
What causes the radio interference? Does it have something to do with the magnetic fields? It does appear that the radio frequencies are easily accessible to spirits.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

CVAPI Welcomes Cory to the Team

It is always exciting when we add a new member to the team. Cory has accepted a training position with us. He has been out on a couple investigations with us, been through training sessions, and participated in evidence review.
He is a skeptic at heart with a wonderful approach on trying to duplicate instances. He works with our team members very well and we are lucky to have him.
WELCOME ABOARD CORY!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Anniversay coming up!

It is hard to believe that we have been running formally as a team for a year now. This week will be geared towards getting everything ready for our party including our team, clients and supporters.
It is not as easy as some may think in putting together a team. However I am more than pleased with our community presence, our accomplishments, and what the team stands for.
I am looking forward to have everyone come together for a celebration as well as I can't wait to see what this upcoming year will hold for us.
GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

Friday, May 29, 2009

My Paranormal Interest Con't

In growing up in that farm house there were a lot of "unexplained" instances. One I remember is there was an empty room upstairs at the end of the hallway that the entire family used for storage. That room was directly over our kitchen. Often my Grandma would yell up the steps and ask what I was doing in that room when I had never been in there. We had several arguments about this. Late at night, I could hear someone walking in that room. At first I was told it was a mouse and we set traps and caught nothing. Then I was told the house was settling. (Built in the early 1800's how much more could it possibly settle) And finally I learned to sleep with the radio on.
Later in life, my daughter stayed at my Grandma's after school. She too, can now remember of being accused of being upstairs in that room when she had never went upstairs. It was true, at times sitting at the kitchen table, it appeared that someone was walking up there.
In regards to the family cemetery, growing up I was scared to death of it at night. To the point someone would have to walk me home if I had to pass it. That fear I never overcome. Now I wonder if there was more to it?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

My Interest in the Paranormal Began...

My interest in the paranormal began as a teenager. I grew up in an old farmhouse built in the early 1800’s, with my Grandmother and with our family cemetery in the yard. I think I was 14 or 15 when I had a sleep over and we all saw our first ghost!
We used to chase each other up the stairs. (Being an old farmhouse the stairs were very steep and my friends seemed to enjoy them.) After going downstairs to the kitchen for a drink and a snack, we then all 4 began to race up the stairs.
The one leading stopped midway up the stairs causing the rest of us to stop. The hallway light was on at the top of the steps and there stood a man, looking down at us in a war uniform. He was in perfect form. He was detailed enough that I could see the wrinkles near his eyes and the hair growth beginning on his face. At that moment my friend beside me said, “I can see through his legs!”. With that he completely disappeared.
Yes, it scared me to death. First of all, there was no doubt in any of us that it was a ghost. Second, the expression on his face I would never forget as I would describe him as angry. Angry at what? Me?
We told my Grandmother of our experience and she laughed it off, stating the house does not have ghost. (Even though the entire family joked about “Uncle Harvey”, the ghost that moved and hid items.) After my friends left, my Grandmother and I had a long talk because I did not think she realized how frightened and upset I really was about this. (No one lived upstairs but me.)
Later that day, she called me to the phone, it was one of her sisters. She told me that she too, had seen him in the house at an early age and no one believed her. She told me that it was my 6th great grandfather, who was a Captain in the Civil War and buried in the cemetery. It gave me some relief to know that he had been seen before, but no relief to go back upstairs that night.
For two months I slept downstairs in the living room on the sofa, until my family picked on me so bad that I eventually returned to my room. (I would go upstairs during the day, but made sure I did not have to return up there, when night fell.)
My Grandmother did not help matters at all by telling me it could have been anyone, as my bedroom was the soldier’s room. When they were in the Civil War and would come by the house that is the room they would stay in.
Recently we did an investigation were they report their ghosts in full form. Another report was said that there was a black shadow around 6-foot tall and the shape of a man. I saw that shadow! Once again, I felt like I was back in my teenage years and left completely speechless, to the point that I could not tell the investigator beside me to turnaround!
Of course this appeared off camera, and I am hoping that it appeared on one of the others. (We have not finished the video review yet.) If not, I would really like to return to this location to see if we can get him on video.
Funny thing, I have had two locations that report full figure aspirations, and both seem to play with my cameras, but will not appear in front of them!

Friday, May 22, 2009

CVAPI in USA Today

We conducted an interview a couple of weeks ago, and it has just come to my attention that it ran in USA Today. How exciting!
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Places,+Geography/States,+Territories,+Provinces,+Islands/Virginia/0clI2bi6cxfcT/1

We are new to blogspot, and we are hoping that if you are reading, that you will join us here. We have lots of various topics that we wish to share, and hope to hear from everyone.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Introduction

I wanted to start with an introductory to who I am and who is CVAPI. My name is Jackie and I work as a full time psychic under the nickname of Ms Swami. For years I performed readings on my family, friends, and coworkers as my hobby. With their encouragement, I took this hobby to a full time professional level, and honestly I love what I do.

Now what would I do for a hobby? In January of 2008, I founded Central VA Psychic Development and Paranormal Research. This is a group of willing individuals that get together for a meeting every so often where the topics are open. So many believe in ghosts, many have questions on the Tarot...in this group you can come together and ask all of these questions on the topics that you feel that you cannot discuss with your family and friends.

As soon as that group began, I started recieving requests for paranormal investigations. (For most, pyschics and the paranormal go hand in hand.) With the encouragement of my friends and my daughter, we now decided it was time to move forward with an actual paranormal team. This is how CVAPI, Central Virginia Paranormal Investigations began.

So here under Virginia is for Ghost Lovers, you will find various topics to come. Anything from ghost stories, to info on our investigations, to my rants and raves. If we can get enough followers and enough comments, I hope to have the actual team members contribute to the blog as well.

Meanwhile any ghost stories you would like to share? We would love to hear them!