Depending on how you look at the universe, either everything is conscious or nothing is conscious.

This is simply false. I have a way of looking at the Universe in which their exists consciousness and unconscious matter.

If it works for you, then great. Go with it. Just because we disagree doesn't mean either of us is wrong.

I, like everyone else, have been unconscious, and I find it easy to tell the difference.

Yes, you can choose a definition of the word consciousness to be when your brain waves are following a certain type of pattern and by such a definition both consciousness and unconsciousness are possible.

And for what it is worth, I also suggest that you can have thoughts without consciousness. This is what happens when you are dreaming. It is also evident in the "autopilot" phenomenon when you intend to drive somewhere, but your body decides to drive somewhere else.

I would say you never really have 'conscious' thoughts. They just kind of arise and play across you. You really have very little to do with those thoughts.

I'd say the "autopilot" phenomena extends to your entire life. Just dancing clowns in a chorus line with no choreographer.