Nice screenie, Cp! Where's the systray?
You see that tiny little + plus sign in the lower right corner?
It's all in there in an inactive state bro.
My small way of shooting a blind clean and an excellent question.
If you notice, I don't use a Quick Launch or the tray clock either. Don't need 'em! With the stuff we use for customizing, all the system defaults becomes redundant.

Nice Shot Curtis, Ive actually decided to lose the slight glass layer in the start menu, it was the only gradient in an otherwise.. gradientless, naked WB and was causing problems at very short start menu sizes
Whoooooooooa! Wait a sec partner! I'm having no such problems on XP with the start chopped down to 3 elements.
Far as I'm concerned, you don't have to alter shit dude!