The process of going trough all the numerous insignificant
boring annoying repetitive
small preliminary tasks before you are set up to do a
real meaningful interesting useful intended task.
twiddlediddledidoodiddling = fining a plug for your laptop, finding a free table, unpacking your laptop, setting up, booting up, logging on, trying to find what's wrong with the network, configuring your software, doing your system update, checking your
email or
facebook, moving to another table because there is a
weirdo sitting beside you, renewing your library books online, checking your voicemail, ... packing your laptop, ...