On April 23rd, I met a new group: California Paranormal Private Investigators (CPPI). They held an investigation at a very prominent restaurant in Anaheim that has a history of paranormal activity.

The group was extremely friendly, and welcomed me right away. CPPI has the distinction of having the most tech of any group I’ve been with so far: IR static cameras, “EM pumps”, a computer monitor station for the static cameras, etc. Just about everything you’d see on the tv shows. With the exception of one member, CPPI is largely female, which also sets them apart. They strung cable throughout the two story restaurant without any difficulty.

The group has investigated this restaurant in the past, and their rapport with the owners is such that they are left alone after closing and are trusted to lock up the restaurant when they are done. The group had at least three sensitives with them. There wasn’t much in the way of activity that I witnessed, but an interesting thing did happen. One psychic, Kd, claimed that the EM pump drained her of energy, and didn’t like being around it. An “EM Pump” emits a low-level magnetic field, which is supposed to attract spirits and allow them to manifest themselves. The theory is that since batteries are reported to be drained in the vicinity of ghosts, this “EM Pump” is supposed to act as a high enegy source for them to use.

She stated that if it affects her negatively, it may do the same to any spirits. This concept was backed up this past weeked at “Queen Con”.

Queen Con was held on the Queen Mary. It seems like paranormal people are one of the friendliest bunches on the planet, even those with a bit of fame. All of the guest speakers were very approachable and had no problem interacting with paranormal enthusiasts. I spoke to Philip Adrian Booth of the Booth Brothers for a good 20 minutes about their next project, “The Haunted Boy”.

I filmed a lot of mini interviews, which I can hopefully use in the documentary. I told everyone I filmed about the doc, and handed out a ton of cards. I also met Scott Gruenwald of Wolfe Manor Live and The Paranormal Stu. Very funny and outgoing guy.

Of the many lectures, the one by EVP experts Mark and Debby Constantino was the most interesting. They played several EVPs they have captured in many locations, including their home. A few EVPs spoke about the EM Pump, and one spirit said “it burns” them. The Constantinos said paranormal groups should consider no longer using this device if it harms the ghosts.

I had a great time at Queen Con, and was able to make a lot of new friends.

I bought the IR Illuminator (Thanks, Aztecsghost) and the RØDE Microphone (Thanks, BeeoBee). My future doc footage should be greatly improved. Still have to figure out how to fix a broken tripod mount on the underside of the camcorder.

I met the second group to appear in the documentary on Friday. The meeting went great! Very friendly, down to Earth bunch. All were very eager to get started. Hopefully we’ll have an investigation with them this weekend. Psy-Paranormal has informed me that something big is in the works for the 27th. If the new group is clear that day, I’ll be shooting more footage with them.

I am meeting with the next paranormal group tomorrow. Things are really starting to move! I’ve sent out emails to a couple more groups; hope to hear from them soon. If not there are plenty more paranormal groups in So Cal, fortunately!

I spoke with a musician friend of mine last night about contributing some original music to the documentary, and he said he’s all in.

I have all the footage I’ve shot so far digitized and stored on the external hard drive. I’ve taken the advice of a few friends and will invest in a better microphone, and hopefully, an “infrared illuminator”.

These illuminators act as spotlights when used with “nightshot” mode on the camcorder in darkness. The light is completely invisible to the naked eye, and most illuminators can only be sold to law enforcement and the military. However, there are a few that are sold to the general public.