Abyssinians are active. And active. And active (look at thread "Abyssinians are the best" under Cat Breeds).
My Filou never sits on the lap but very often on my shoulders. They are very affectionate and love people.
E.g. Filou loves to wake me up in the night by giving headbumpies and purring like a Harley. He can do that 20 minutes until I decide it won't help to continue to sleep.
Abyssinians balance on top of doors, steal money (at least Maya and Bodhi did ) and get into trouble several times per day.
I could not imagine how my life was without one (I have one and a half).