Get a rat, seriously.
WAY more interactive and smart than a hamster and won't get upset if you want to play with it during the day. I've kept many rats over the years and hamsters and the rats are better pets IMHO, especially if you want something that's going to look forward to you taking it out. I had one when I was a kid that went everywhere in my sleeve.... I took it to the beach once and left it in my sweater on my bag while I went swimming and a while later I see this little head bobbing towards me - Oscar didn't want to be left behind!!
Rats do need bigger cages than a hamster, but you can easily modify a rabbit cage (those smaller "starter" kit rabbit cages that are really way too small for a rabbit are perfect for a rat) with some wire mesh so that it can't get thru the bars when it's younger.
Plus look at all the cute varieties they come in!! (none of these pics are mine, I got them from google images) All of these types are just different coats or features, they are all the same species.
Grey Hooded rat
Black Hooded rat
Dumbo rats ( LOOK at those ears!!)
Siamese rat
Rex rat (curly coat and whiskers)
Hairless rat
Box 'o rats! (2 hairless, a solid black and a hooded - I think one of the hairless is also a "dumbo")
