I understand you want people to see it, so maybe put it by the search form or so. Right now, it's very distracting with it's bright blue on dark background... And well it overpowers the whole design either way (brighter than anything on the forum design)
I don't mind if it's bright in the search area or so, cause yeah I'll see it but I won't be forced to see it on the left side while trying to read. It's very annoying :/