Purrley,
My cat Elvis is a strange one, too. He is extremely affectionate and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to be cuddled up in someone's lap. He does not, however, like to be picked up or moved in any way. If he's in my lap and I need to get up, I have to just stand up abruptly and let him jump off. I have tried to gently move him or pick him up, but he gets upset, and boy do I have the scars to prove it!
We suspect that Elvis may have been abused because one of his front legs was obviously broken at some point, although he may have been in an accident when he was out on the streets.
He has gotten a lot better than he was when I got him, but he still makes it very clear what he does like and what he doesn't. He's a true New Yorker-a tough cookie. That's just the way he is.