1) You would have to use the OldNewExplorer program for applying the needed edited UIFILE from PerfCenterCPL.dll. I attached a PerfCenterCPL_UIFILE by Grim for that which might help. As for transparency I don't know. It would depend on whatever program you are using to get that done.
2) Here's a map of the Performance Monitor:
http://vistastylebuilder.com/forum/index.php?topic=1481.03) Those black sections are because your Fonts & System Metrics WINDOW:COLOR & APPWORKSPACE:COLOR are black. That may be necessary for the center of WordPad to be transparent and so can't be changed