21.  But Akbar, the nearest thing in the area to a civil engineer, has a much more optimistic estimate.

22.  But closed-end funds offer the nearest thing.

23.  But his seriousness of purpose has not stopped him from enjoying his special quasi-celebrity status as the nearest thing to an Afghan to be found in American ranks here.

24.  But if Antarctica still qualifies as the nearest thing to a pristine environment on the planet, its future unsullied beauty is by no means guaranteed.

25.  His back was sore, and suddenly the nearest thing to a baseball living legend seemed tired.

26.  In a world reflected through VHS, this deck mirrored the nearest thing to reality.

27.  It is the nearest thing the Communists have to a religious holiday.

28.  Never mind all the nonwound balls, the nearest thing golf has seen to the super balls that cost a quarter and carom a mile.

29.  Odom is lucky insofar as he has at his disposal the nearest thing to a crystal ball.

30.  Otherwise, the nearest thing to a positive was his announcement that quarterback Jeff George would probably practice Wednesday and would definitely play Sunday, despite bruised ribs.