I also wouldn't do exactly the same thing regarding the transparencies (maybe kill the extension of the year/day highlights behind the primary white-ish content area, and just only have those highlights be visible in the framing area?), but my first reaction was actually "oh, cool, a site daring to have a bold design and go its own way instead of trying to look 'beautiful' like most of the bland sites posted here."

So don't tone it down too much. You can't please everyone, and there's a big design echo-chamber on here. And actually, on second thought, maybe I wouldn't change it at all. Be bold and distinctive. Own it. Design isn't about toning stuff down to the lowest common denominator.

And I love the ease of navigation provided by the top year bar and side day bar.