There's something about a slinky that I find soothing.  I find its fluidity very calming.  Much like water flowing through my hands, but of course I don't get wet, since it's a metal spring.  In the midst of the craziness at work, I want to sit still and watch the slinky move back and forth between my hands.  I want to feel its weight shifting from one hand to the other.  I want to listen to the soft metal rustle that it makes.  And it's so cute - red with white polka dots - I just want to stare at it.  Yes, this is much more fun than getting down to those reports and investigations.  It wasn't my ambition to be like Sherlock Holmes, dammit.