twiddlediddledidoodiddling
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, ...