21.   As Bill Brandau, operations section manager for the firefighting effort, addressed the fire crews Friday night, there was optimism, laced with reality.

22.   As far as music is concerned, optimism is appropriate.

23.   As midnight approached, there was cautious optimism.

24.   As the new year begins, there is optimism.

25.   At one time there was optimism that open boarding could be in place this month.

26.   At the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which helps elect Republicans to the Senate, optimism is running high.

27.   At this bloody moment in the Middle East, optimism would be unfounded.

28.   Before that, there was much optimism for the Wildcats, who were expected to contend for the Big Ten title.

29.   Blind optimism is dangerous.

30.   A recent survey by the Confederation of British Industry found that optimism among manufacturers is at a two-year high.