Hi, I'm Ben.

Graphic artist / photographer / vlogger / radio co-host / beer nerd / former vegetarian / fitness freak / always hungry / proud bisexual / bearded gentleman..

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Happy Thanksgiving! https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfyBVkghPV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qqr1ps7f38y8

[obviouslybenhughes]

This adorable little fluff ball crawled up into the car of a woman who works in my office building and she didn’t realize it until after arriving at work this morning. Thankfully a coworker fished him out from under the hood, but nobody wanted to take him... so, meet the newest member of our family. He’s just about six weeks old, full of spunk, and he’s a quick little bugger... The only thing we haven’t decided is what to name him! Any suggestions? #straycat #kitten #boykitten #babykitty #balloffluff https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDugQtgPRY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o44fc1rcabzb

[obviouslybenhughes]

⏳ Kronos (at Fayetteville, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXdVZbgy9X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u5r0sqvhgmvo

[obviouslybenhughes]

👑 King (at Fayetteville, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXbqWhAEEe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zg61wssp4o26

[obviouslybenhughes]

We left the trailhead at 8 AM with 5.2 miles of trekking and 2,300 feet in elevation gain ahead of us. The end reward was a phenomenal view and sense of accomplishment to energize us before climbing back down. I am so proud of Bryan and myself for achieving this daunting hike and to have shared it with such good people. #hiking #weddinghike #ColchuckLake #LakeColchuck #Colchuck #colchucklaketrail #leavenworthwa #hikewashington #washingtonstate (at Colchuck Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoJtzm_At0h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sto38p1gaew

[obviouslybenhughes]

Witness this, the union of Erin Collins to Alexander Baldwin upon the shores of the Wenatchee River. (at Leavenworth, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDY6U7g6fg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mymraqftsd7i

[obviouslybenhughes]

Ten out of ten on the Happy Place scale. (at Leavenworth, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoAMSYNAHup/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18s6o3mp9g7wz

[obviouslybenhughes]

After 2,800 miles of air travel here’s a quick “hello” from the other side of the United States. ☺️ #Seattle #SpaceNeedle #beardgang #seattlewa (at Space Needle) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn9cRqLAKUK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wg8hqrujbtqx

[obviouslybenhughes]

We’re off to climb a mountain out in Washington state and witness the marriage of Erin to Alex at the summit. Should be pretty grand 😊 (at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn8kn9VAnP3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k23ybuv3s3f6

[obviouslybenhughes]

I think we’re thoroughly prepared for Hurricane Florence. 😆 We have taken measures to ride the storm out comfortably, keep ourselves safe, and go without power for a few days. I’m really just glad it’s not a blizzard! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bno6Ci1na_j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8zhocjgh65ct

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Tired happy boys. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnhk1EWnQF3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tz49dyqhbd14

[obviouslybenhughes]

Duck Donuts, a North Carolina specialty. Can you guess any of these flavors? (at Duck Donuts) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm2SbuNHKrH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wceute8e77zu

[obviouslybenhughes]

Nothing better than a home-cooked family dinner! It’s been great to have Bryan’s maternal family here in North Carolina this week, and we are so excited to have his sister Brianna move in with us. These are the best kinda nights. ☺️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmzj8WQHbdp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rizibh4a9mcu

[obviouslybenhughes]

If you don’t post a photo of it, did you even work out? 😉 Jokes aside... this picture brings many thoughts to mind. For the last 3 months I abandoned my daily fitness due to depression, anxiety, and a hectic work schedule. I’d beat myself up over lacking career prospects and allowed my declining self worth to dictate inaction. The excuse was my job, with overnights and unexpected doubles and headaches, draining every last ounce of my drive... apart from trying to care for our dogs, or finding a moment of peace with my fiancé. Feeling ever more out of shape also meant even if I went to the gym I might not make it inside, finding myself stuck in the car riddled with paranoia over being judged by the other members I watched enter, each looking far better in my opinion than my own lousy self. Pre-entry anxiety has always been big for me, and even on good days if I made it through the doors it might only be after 40 minutes or more sitting in my Jeep, allowing my thoughts to spiral and compound and further digress from rationality. To me, calling oneself a bodybuilder always seemed like a self-indulgent title you had to be able to live up to visually. The term suggests rippling, chiseled, bulging mass. One thinks of the sort of people for whom the term’s redundant; folks that are obviously bodybuilders just from the look, but thanks for clarifying it for me as if I couldn’t already tell. With that, donning this shirt feels blasphemous. It’s just a free shirt given out with orders over a certain dollar amount, but it represents a culture of hypertrophy whose criteria I’ve never felt I meet. The same for these shorts - great for unobstructed motion, but visually boastful when I don’t actually feel I have a right to boast. This is when I must remind myself of Schwarzenegger’s own methods. He knew his wheels were a weak point, so he purposefully wore revealing shorts to make himself work harder on them. If everyone could see them, he couldn’t hide. In that spirit, I post this. I’m back to making the effort. I AM “building my body”. I’m giving myself nowhere to hide. I admit, I fell off the horse... At least I’ve got back up and on again. Time to do work. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmqT2T4nGY7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xmbnpog6jekz

[obviouslybenhughes]

Brought the boys on a tandem trail walk this evening. I’m really trying to be more active with them both together and apart. They’re making slow progress each day but that’s better than nothing. It’s also great to know people are generally afraid and will leave you alone when you’ve got these fellas strapped to your sides. Most folks assume a big dog means danger, and I’m perfectly fine with them steering clear. Hah! #IHatePeople #LeaveMeAlone #DontTalkToMe #MoreTrailForMe #GermanShepherd #ShepherdMix #BigDogs #KingKing #Kronos (at City of Fayetteville Lake Rim Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmKEzGxH3JL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xiz3bdkqozei

[obviouslybenhughes]

I love to think back on how teeny tiny Kronos was when we first brought him home as a four month old puppy. It amazes me to see what a big strong dog he is now! This smart, loving, fiercely protective goofball will always be our baby boy, and the amount of personality and affection he shows will never cease to melt my icy cold heart. LOL

[obviouslybenhughes]

King was such a well behaved pup for me today on a trail hike along the river, reinforcing “heel” as well as different heeling speeds according to “quick” or “slow”. We even used the built in benches at each overlook platform to work on basic agility. What a smart and beautiful boy! Hard to believe he already turned 1 just a few days ago... 😍 👑 🐕 🐾 😊 #KingKing #germanshepherd #purebred #hiking #crosscreek #northcarolina