shutterbug

I don't understand what your problem is....so you're bouncing and you get hotspots?  That's pretty impossible unless your ceiling is very low and shiny....

Most of the time ETTL will underexpose not over...

And if you use manual flash, you should be able to do whatever SB800 can do.  Have you read a website that explained how ETTL works?  If not, I might be able to dig it up for you...

shutterbug

if you're in a rush...shoot a frame then dial in flash compensation...

it's better to overexpose a bit than underexpose

shutterbug

The pics seem normal to the settings you have, the bright spot is normal because that's where your flash is aiming, and the dark area is normal too because the flash falls off and the place seems to be pretty dark.

There are many way to fix this situation though.