This is the introduction I gave the class as our first assignment:
Hello all. I’m Francis to any of you out there who happen to be my grandparents, Franny to my little sister, and Fran to everyone else. Don’t be fooled though, as I must clarify to everyone who is not meeting me face to face, it’s like a girl’s name, but for a guy. I’ve tried for years to get people to give me a cool and appropriate nick-name, but have as yet been unsuccessful. Feel free to give it a go.