You've got the "hook style" wiper arms - they used to be "pin style" (there was a pin with a groove in it - the groove mated with a clip in the frame.)
You should be able to just pull the wiper arm up as far as it will go easily - no sense bending the thing! - and then you'll push the wiper back along the arm. It's easier to do if the wiper blade is close to a right angle with the wiper arm. There may or may not be a locking tab on the "inside" of the hook (you'll be able to reach it with a fingertip,) depending on brand used.
With practise, you can do it one-handed in about ten seconds (can you tell I've done a lot of wiper blades? Hazzard of the parts profession - but I'm glad I don't do the retail counterman thing anymore...)
As previously described, there is a hook in the end of the blade - once you get it out, you'll see what I mean. Kinda like a deep capital letter "J", or a "U" with a really long leg on one side.
For all the wiseasses - didn't you have to ask someone how to do this yourself once upon a time? We were all new once - I was new (about 30 years ago,) and I still remember that. Perhaps you don't - but I do. We've all got to learn somehow... If he was any closer, I'd have him come around for five minutes and show him how to do it (easier that way) - but there's a bunch of guys in SoCal who should be able to help you if you stumble.
As far as keeping things clean, try this (it costs less...)
1) Wax the windscreen with a good paste wax about once a year. I've been using Turtle Wax for this for the last dozen years or so without trouble, and it improves water shedding more than RainX does (I put the RainX in my paintball box for my goggles - use the anti-fog on the inside, and the RainX on the outside.) I'll usually wax the windscreen about September - give it time to cure thoroughly before the rain starts to hit, but it's still fresh.
2) Use wiper blades with removable rubber bits. Just don't get the "narrow" ones - they use metal ribs that are a pain in the arse to handle. If you can find Tridon or Anco, you're on the right track. If you've got the "universal" blades, you can end up ordering the refills in bulk and keep them in the garage (and a pair in the truck as spares in case the ones you're using break down all at once. Keep from direct sunlight.)
3) Change just the rubber bit (the frame lasts just about forever - typical life in years...) every six months. Down in SoCal, you get too much sunlight and not enough rain - in about six months, the rubber starts to break down and you get streaking, smearing, and the like.
Sounds like you got a lot of work done, but you just (somehow...) managed to miss this all this time. It happens - so just learn and move on. Think of it as one more thing to add to your notebook...