I just found out that when cats squint their eyes and kind of turn away from you, it's a social behavior to show non-aggression.
That would explain why whenever my cat gets into trouble, or I stare him in the face and ask, "What do you want?" he squints or closes his eyes. Haha.
Blargh, I didn't have a picture of him to post on the pet thread from awhile ago, but this is him... he likes to snuggle by my laptop and touches me when he wants attention. He seems to enjoy being around me when I'm quietly working on something.