It’s time once again for Spiffy Iffy Shitty, where I pass judgement on the best, worst, and most confusing things in the universe.

Spiffy: Battlestar Galactica. I got the DVD set of the first season for Christmas, and V and I have watched almost every episode already. Battlestar Galactica is a great show on so many levels. For science fiction geeks, it’s got all the action, fake technology, and nerdy little details that we all love. But it also goes beyond sci-fi with well-done drama and humour. Even V, who claims to be completely un-nerdy, is just as into it as me (though I have come home to find her watching Stargate Atlantis alone, so maybe it’s just that my nerdiness is rubbing off on her). Anyway, anyone who hasn’t seen Battlestar Galactica oughta give it a try.

Iffy: Futureshop and Best Buy. FS and BB are two of the biggest electronics/entertainment retailers in Canada. In the south end of London, the two stores are literally across the street from each other. The perplexing thing is that they are actually owned by the same company, and so are exactly the same store. Their prices are never more than a dollar or two apart, they have sales on the same things at the same time, and their web sites and online ordering system are identical. I don’t automatically hate large corporations, but when they set up two stores across from each other to deceive people into believing they have a choice, when in fact both choices send money to the same company…well, that’s getting a little evil.

Speaking of Best Buy, I ordered something from them recently. Below is the package it came in. A rather large box, which is currently taking up the whole kitchen table while I consider leaving the house to recycle it.

What did I order?

This little card. Was it really necessary to package something the size of a credit card in a box the size of small dog? Not only does this fill up the planet with garbage quicker, but it must be costing Best Buy / Futureshop a shitload of money to be giving away 10 times as much cardboard as they need to. What the hell? You’d think at least one person from the giant evil corporation would notice this and think of the financial implications.

Shitty: The Goo Goo Dolls. After listening to their latest song on the radio, I wondered to myself, what happened to these guys? What made them start creating such shitty music? Then I realized that they’ve never been anything but boring radio filler. I think the Goo Goo Dolls should “reinvent” themselves to get peoples’ attention again. Maybe change their name to The Goo² Dolls, or 2Goo2Dolls, or some other “clever” name the kids will love. Or maybe they could join up with the Pussycat Dolls…they’re hot these days. They could be known as the Pussy Goo Dolls. Uh…on the other hand…that doesn’t sound all too appealing.