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!

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?"

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.

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

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.

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.

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!